Abstract
Background and Introduction
The role of pharmacy technicians in general practice is evolving with the growth of GP clinical pharmacists. The HEE Wessex Primary Care Training Hub (PCTH) needed to understand the role, tasks undertaken and training available to enable the provision of quality assured training opportunities for GP pharmacy technicians (GPPTs).
Aims and Objectives
Understand the GPPT role and training needs
Identify existing training for GPPTs
Plan training provision for GPPTs
Method
A survey1 was structured in collaboration with PWDS and local GPPTs using SurveyMonkey®. The SurveyMonkey® link was distributed via social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook, Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK (APTUK), GPPT discussion forums and local networks. This research did not require ethical approval.
Results
75 UK GPPTs completed the survey, tasks undertaken are extensive and often complex (chart)
57% of GPPTs were supervised by a clinical pharmacist, for most (52%) this is remote. For others, GPs provide supervision.
Over 50% of GPPTs stated the following training would support their role:
interpretation of biochemistry
medication review
consultation skills
health promotion
clinical triage skills
understanding general practice e.g. contracts
Many stated that training was not accessible and that their learning was ‘on the job’ and opportunistic.
Discussion and Conclusion
GPPTs add value to the GP team, undertaking a variety of complex tasks that also support GP clinical pharmacists to focus on advancing their roles. Accredited relevant work-based training for GPPTs is not available; there is a gap in providing support and quality assuring competencies through training.
Post-registration pharmacy technician accreditations are established in secondary care and supported by a national competency framework2.
Due to these findings, an accredited training programme for GPPTs is being developed and piloted for 2019/20 across HEE South. An aim is to also support the development of a national primary care pharmacy technician competency framework.
References
1. HEE Wessex (2018). GP Pharmacy Technician Learning Needs Survey. [Online]
https://primarycaredorset.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/GP-Pharmacy-Technician-RoleLearning-Needs-Report-2018.pdf
2. NHS Pharmacy Education & Development Committee (2016). Nationally Recognised Competency Framework for Pharmacy Technicians: The Assessment of Medicines Management, version 3. [Online] http://www.nhspedc.nhs.uk/Docs/SupportStaff/MMS%20National%20Framework%20v3%20January%202016.pdf
The role of pharmacy technicians in general practice is evolving with the growth of GP clinical pharmacists. The HEE Wessex Primary Care Training Hub (PCTH) needed to understand the role, tasks undertaken and training available to enable the provision of quality assured training opportunities for GP pharmacy technicians (GPPTs).
Aims and Objectives
Understand the GPPT role and training needs
Identify existing training for GPPTs
Plan training provision for GPPTs
Method
A survey1 was structured in collaboration with PWDS and local GPPTs using SurveyMonkey®. The SurveyMonkey® link was distributed via social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook, Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK (APTUK), GPPT discussion forums and local networks. This research did not require ethical approval.
Results
75 UK GPPTs completed the survey, tasks undertaken are extensive and often complex (chart)
57% of GPPTs were supervised by a clinical pharmacist, for most (52%) this is remote. For others, GPs provide supervision.
Over 50% of GPPTs stated the following training would support their role:
interpretation of biochemistry
medication review
consultation skills
health promotion
clinical triage skills
understanding general practice e.g. contracts
Many stated that training was not accessible and that their learning was ‘on the job’ and opportunistic.
Discussion and Conclusion
GPPTs add value to the GP team, undertaking a variety of complex tasks that also support GP clinical pharmacists to focus on advancing their roles. Accredited relevant work-based training for GPPTs is not available; there is a gap in providing support and quality assuring competencies through training.
Post-registration pharmacy technician accreditations are established in secondary care and supported by a national competency framework2.
Due to these findings, an accredited training programme for GPPTs is being developed and piloted for 2019/20 across HEE South. An aim is to also support the development of a national primary care pharmacy technician competency framework.
References
1. HEE Wessex (2018). GP Pharmacy Technician Learning Needs Survey. [Online]
https://primarycaredorset.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/GP-Pharmacy-Technician-RoleLearning-Needs-Report-2018.pdf
2. NHS Pharmacy Education & Development Committee (2016). Nationally Recognised Competency Framework for Pharmacy Technicians: The Assessment of Medicines Management, version 3. [Online] http://www.nhspedc.nhs.uk/Docs/SupportStaff/MMS%20National%20Framework%20v3%20January%202016.pdf
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 13-14 |
| Number of pages | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 8 Jun 2019 |
| Event | Clinical Pharmacy Congress - Duration: 24 Nov 2014 → … |
Conference
| Conference | Clinical Pharmacy Congress |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | CPC |
| Period | 24/11/14 → … |