Primary care pharmacist experiences of pharmacy integration funded postgraduate study at the University of Bath

Background and Introduction
The pharmacy integration fund (PhIF) aimed to accelerate ‘the integration of pharmacy professionals across health and care systems to deliver medicines optimisation for patients’1. Since 2018, as part of the PhIF, the University of Bath has delivered postgraduate education to >400 community pharmacists, supporting clinical services offered in community pharmacy and primary care networks (PCNs). Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the programme adopted a blended learning approach with in-person and online teaching, this changed to online delivery from March 2020. An evaluation of student experiences was undertaken to determine benefits from postgraduate learning and inform future sustainable programme development.

Aims and Objectives
Aim
• Evaluate the experiences of primary care pharmacists studying clinical pharmacy practice (primary care and community) at the University of Bath to determine the benefits of postgraduate education and inform future sustainable programme development.
Objectives
• Construct an online survey informed by academic staff experience and expertise for distribution to all pharmacists registered on clinical pharmacy practice (primary care and community) postgraduate units.
• Administer survey via Jisc Online Surveys® to all pharmacists registered on clinical pharmacy practice (primary care and community) postgraduate units.
• Analyse quantitative and qualitative responses to inform future programme developments and communicate benefits to relevant stakeholders.

Method
A survey was developed using themes from existing student and staff experiences of the clinical pharmacy practice (primary care and community) programme. A combination of questions with open and closed (5-point Likert scale) responses were included and piloted prior to distribution. The survey link was distributed to all registered on clinical pharmacy practice (primary care and community) postgraduate units and open for 3-weeks. Responses were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively, with the open responses providing context to respondent Likert-scale selection.

Results
• 41 respondents, 92% PhIF funded, median 5 units/per respondent.
• Years registered: 19.5% ≤5yrs, 29.3% 6-10yrs, 24.2% 11-30yrs, 14.6% >30yrs
• 93% (n=41) felt the programme enhanced their clinical knowledge; 87% felt it enhanced their clinical practice; 92% felt their confidence had improved and 92.5% felt their ability to communicate clinical information and decisions to patients and colleagues had improved.
• 80% (n=41) were satisfied and recommend the programme to others.
• 85% (n=41) were interested in continuing clinical pharmacy education; 80% wanted to complete Independent Prescribing; 90% stated gaining university credit was important; 52% were interested in credentialing as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner.

Discussion and Conclusion
Useful feedback was gained to inform future programme developments from the survey. The findings illustrate the contribution of postgraduate clinical pharmacy education in meeting the ambition of PhIF to develop clinically competent and confident pharmacists who are able to communicate effectively to patients and colleagues. The desire to continue clinical pharmacy education was high with Independent Prescribing as a priority. Half were interested in Advanced Clinical Practitioner credentialling but a number unsure what this meant. In-person teaching was highlighted as important to create networks and a community of practice in a sector that is otherwise professionally isolated.

References
1NHS England. (2021). Pharmacy Integration Programme. Retrieved July 9, 2021 from: https://www.england.nhs.uk/primary-care/pharmacy/pharmacy-integration-fund/