Education

Education

All non-medical prescribing programmes training pharmacists must be accredited by the RPSGB. The RPSGB has outlined a curriculum for pharma-cist prescribers, which at present requires them to have 2 years’ postregistration experience of patient care. This document sets out the aims and objectives shown in Text box 10.4. All candidates require a designated medical practitioner (DMP) to assist in their learning and to assess their competence during their practice-based experience. This ‘clinical practice’ takes the form of 12 days of supervision by the DMP and runs alongside 26 days of taught course content. The clinical practice element of the training programme is for trainees to hone their diagnostic and consultation skills. Trainees observe other prescribers and are observed in turn to verify their competence. This practical learning within trainees’ organisation is also valuable for them in understanding the processes and policies of prescribing from the perspective of a prescriber rather than simply their role as pharma-cist. The trainee enters into a learning partnership with the DMP and the higher education institute providing the accredited training programme. A learning contract is drawn up to ensure the goals are explicit and that all participants acknowledge what is required of them. A record of learning is kept throughout the training course with reflective practice as its corner-stone. Only after the trainee’s DMP is satisfied with his or her practice and fulfilment of the agreed learning agreement can he or she be signed off as a competent prescriber.

Box 10.4 Prescribers' training course

Aim

To enable pharmacists to practise and develop as prescribers and to meet the standards set by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain

Learning outcomes

Being able to:

• understand the responsibility the role of independent prescriber entails, be aware of their own limitations and work within the limits of their professional competence – knowing when and how to refer/consult/seek guidance from another member of the healthcare team

• develop an effective relationship and communication with patients, carers, other prescribers and members of the healthcare team

• describe the pathophysiology of the condition being treated and recognise the signs and symptoms of illness, take an accurate  history and carry out a relevant clinical assessment where necessary

• use common diagnostic aids, for example, stethoscope, sphygmomanometer

• use diagnostic aids relevant to the condition(s) for which the pharmacist intends to prescribe, including monitoring response to therapy

• apply clinical assessment skills to inform a working diagnosis, formulate a treatment plan, prescribe one or more medicines if appropriate, checking to ensure patient safety, and monitor response to therapy, review the working/differential diagnosis and modify treatment or refer/consult/seek guidance as appropriate

• demonstrate a shared approach to decision-making by assessing patients’ needs for medicines, taking account of their wishes and values and those of carers when making prescribing decisions

• identify and assess information sources, advice and decision support, show how they will use them in patient care, taking into account evidence-based practice and national/local guidelines where they exist

• recognise, evaluate and respond to influences on prescribing practice at individual, local and national levels

• prescribe safely, appropriately and cost-effectively

• work within a prescribing partnership

• keep accurate, effective and timely records and keep other prescribers and healthcare staff informed

• demonstrate an understanding of the public health issues related to medicines use

• demonstrate an understanding of the legal, ethical and professional framework for accountability and responsibility in relation to prescribing

• work within clinical governance frameworks including prescribing practice audit and personal development

• participate regularly in continuing professional development (CPD) and maintain a record of their CPD activity