1. Context Objectives Results Discussion and Recommendations Conclusion
Advancing Professional Practice Skills for Recent Bachelor of Pharmacy Graduates
Rita Dhami, RPh BScPhm, PharmD, Brad Jennings, BA, BEd, MEd
Rosemary M. Killeen BScPhm, PGCert, RPh, Nancy M. Waite BScPhm, PharmD
Context
The change in scope of practice and increased responsibilities for pharmacists in the Canadian healthcare system prompted a change from the Bachelor to a Doctor of Pharmacy degree1
As part of the Waterloo PharmD Bridging Program (see Fig. 1), a course was created for recent graduates Bachelor’s program to advance their professional practice knowledge and skills to the new standards2
Objectives
The primary objective was to create a professional practice skills course to advance the learners’ clinical skills, which could be delivered remotely
The course outcomes require students to:
Demonstrate decision making, using an advanced scope of practice
Apply physical assessment skills to patients
Identify strategies to lead and manage change in current pharmacy practice
Design a practice-based research project
Develop a personalized continuing professional development plan
Methods
The course was designed to bridge gaps between old and new curricula with content delivered in a blended format with a significant asynchronous, online component complemented by a face-to-face workshop
Content was organized in weekly modules which followed a pyramidal concept map and a one-day on-site clinical skills workshop at course mid-point (Fig. 2)
Figure 2. Concept map for the advanced professional practice course
Clinical skills workshop consisted of stations for each expanded scope of practice skill and utilized standardized patient interactions and assessments
Practice Research
Research principles
Management / Leadership
Compensation for services • Change management
Administrative options management • Public health
Continuous professional development
Expanded Scope of Practice Skills
Immunization & health promotion
Prescribing (refills, emergency Rx, adapting, minor ailments) • Lab & physical assessment
Fundamental skills
PC process: info gather, ID / resolve DRPs,
monitor, follow up3 • Communications
Results
To date, 130 students have successfully completed the course
Weekly online discussion forums have had high engagement
Course evaluations indicate students found the modules on physical and lab assessment, prescribing and immunization to be the most applicable to their current practice
The research skills were most valuable to students practising in hospital settings
Discussion and Recommendations
Weekly discussion forums were an appropriate medium to support student learning for a professional practice course
Discussion forums require ongoing support from Faculty facilitating the course to prompt students to discuss pertinent topics as many students avoided taking a strong stance on issues
Students with strong written communication skills preferred this method of learning
Subsequent to the workshop (mid-term), students became more animated and willing to tackle controversial issues on the discussion forums
Clinical skills workshop was consistently rated the most valuable part of the course
The workshop reinforced the clinical assessment skills by providing the opportunity for students to apply the appropriate skills to standardized patients
Face-to-face interactions provided support to recent pharmacist graduates who may be feeling unsatisfied or frustrated by professional practice issues
Conclusion
Professional practice skills can be successfully delivered via a blended/ asynchronous online course, however the hands-on workshop is considered to be the most valuable component to enhance this knowledge and develop rapport amongst learners
Maximum time to completion 3 years from enrolment
Admission to PharmD Bridging Program
Must have completed the BSc Pharmacy program at the University of Waterloo
Minimum 1 term
PHARM 495
Advanced Topics in Patient focused Care
0.5 credit / online
PHARM 496
Advanced Professional Practice
0.5 credit / online + workshop
PHARM 497
Bridging Program Clinical Rotation 1
Clinical Skills / Recognition of Prior Learning
2.5 credits
Minimum 1 term
Level 1 Competence
Level 2 Competence
Level 3 Competence
PHARM 498
Bridging Program Clinical Rotation 2
2.5 credits
PHARM 498
Bridging Program Clinical Rotation 2
2.5 credits
PHARM 498
Transfer Credit
2.5 credits
Min. 8 weeks / rotation
Literature cited
Educational Outcomes for First Professional Degree Programs in Pharmacy (Entry-to-Practice Pharmacy Programs) in Canada. Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada (AFPC) AGM, Vancouver, June 3, 2010.
National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities. (2007). Professional Competencies for Canadian Pharmacists at Entry to Practice.
Cipolle RJ, Strand LM, Morley PC. (2004). Pharmaceutical Care Practice: The Clinician’s Guide. McGraw-Hill: New York.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Joe Petrik, School of Pharmacy for his assistance with this presentation.
PHARM 499
Bridging Program Clinical Rotation 3
2.5 credits
PHARM 499
Transfer Credit
2.5 credits
PHARM 499
Transfer Credit
2.5 credits
Program Complete
Figure 1. Sequence of courses and clinical rotations to complete PharmD