Is there a role for workplace based postgraduate diplomas in the development of community pharmacists?

Sokhi, Jeremy (2015) Is there a role for workplace based postgraduate diplomas in the development of community pharmacists? Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

Background: Community pharmacists have not fulfilled expectations for an extended
role and their education and training is recognised as contributing to this. Postgraduate
diplomas may provide the additional development required. These courses are
predominantly distance learning based despite evidence that multifaceted approaches
are more effective. Furthermore, the role of learning theory in developing or assessing
pharmacist education is unclear. UEA obtained funding to provide a workplace based
diploma for community pharmacists based in eastern England. The aim of this PhD
was to investigate the role of this diploma in community pharmacist development.
Methods: Mixed methods were used. In-depth interviews were conducted with a
purposive sample of 15 diploma students in October 2011 after one year of the course.
Follow-up interviews were completed one year later. Interviews were conducted in
summer 2012 with four community pharmacy employer representatives. A service
provision, employment and CPD survey was conducted annually with diploma students
(n=39) and a comparison group (n=18). A patient satisfaction survey was conducted in
the main workplace of these pharmacists at the outset of the course and repeated as it
concluded.
Results: Students described positive effects on their development and practice
including improved confidence and inter-professional relationships. The diploma
scaffolded learning and a reduction in the potential barriers to CPD was demonstrated.
The opportunities for interacting with peers and other healthcare professionals were
important. Workload pressures were detrimental. Employers recognised pharmacists
needed development but favoured training they controlled. No significant change was
seen in the provision of services or patient satisfaction.
Discussion: This work contributes to understanding community pharmacists’ needs
from a learning theory perspective. Professional isolation impacts negatively on the
development of their practice and the social learning facilitated by the diploma appears
fundamental to the positive results obtained. Whether a workplace based diploma is
the best way to achieve this is unclear.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Pharmacy
Depositing User:	Users 2259 not found.
Date Deposited:	29 Jan 2016 13:09
Last Modified:	29 Jan 2016 13:09
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/56900
DOI:

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