Advanced practice: a survey of current perspectives of Australian pharmacists

Abstract

Background An Advanced Pharmacy Practice Framework for Australia (the ‘APPF’) was published in October 2012. Further to the release of the APPF, the Advanced Pharmacy Practice Framework Steering Committee planned to develop an advanced practice recognition model for Australian pharmacists. Aim To gauge the perspectives of the pharmacy profession relating to advanced practice, via an online survey, in order to inform the design of the model. Method A survey was developed and administered to Australian pharmacists through SurveyMonkey . The survey content was based on findings from a review of national and international initiatives for recognition of advanced practice in pharmacy and other health disciplines, including medicine and nursing. Results The results of the survey showed that a high proportion of respondents considered they were already working at, or working towards achieving, an advanced level of practice. The responses relating to the assessment methods showed a clear preference for ‘submission of a professional portfolio’. A ‘written examination’ had a low level of support and in relation to an ‘oral examination by a panel’ there was a marked preference for a panel of multidisciplinary health professionals over a panel of pharmacists. Conclusion The survey outcomes will inform the development of an advanced pharmacy practice recognition model for Australian pharmacists, particularly in relation to the assessment methods. Survey outcomes also demonstrated that there is scope to further enhance the application of the APPF in the development and recognition of advanced practitioners, and to build greater awareness of the breadth of competencies encompassed by ‘advanced practice’.

Professional development beyond foundation training: a study of pharmacists working in Scotland

“…Two self‐assessment studies of pharmacists in Australia indicate that competency frameworks are not habitually being utilised. In one study, 43.1% of participants had never read the Australian Advanced Practice Framework while in the other, only 24% of those working towards advanced practice were using a recognised framework . This issue was also demonstrated in the present study with only 30% of respondents reporting seeing the RPS APF prior to participating in the survey…”

Pharmacists' self-perceptions in relation to the ‘Advanced Pharmacy Practice Framework’

“…19,37,38 The participants (26.8%) that had only ever practised in one particular area 281 could have been working towards specialisation. Pharmacists working in two or more areas would 282 obtain different experiences showing their versatility.…”

“…19 Some of the participants also felt that there was no purpose to Advanced Practice 350 as there has been no mention of remuneration or prescribing rights in relation to being recognised as 351…”

“…12 The 76 APPFSC also conducted an explorative study around the perspectives of the Australian Pharmacy 77 profession in relation to Advanced Practice. 19 The exploration helped ascertain the best method to 78 assess Advanced Practitioners and targeted pharmacists that were either already advanced or were 79 actively working towards advancement. 19 …”

“…19 The exploration helped ascertain the best method to 78 assess Advanced Practitioners and targeted pharmacists that were either already advanced or were 79 actively working towards advancement. 19 …”