Developing and piloting a self-assessment tool for medication review competence of practicing pharmacists based on nationally set competence criteria

Abstract

Background New competence requirements have emerged for pharmacists as a result of changing societal needs towards more patient-centred practices. Today, medication review competence can be considered as basic pharmaceutical competence. Medication review specific competence criteria and tools for self-assessing the competence are essential in building competences and a shared understanding of medication reviews as a collaborative practice. The aim of this study was to develop and pilot a self-assessment tool for medication review competence among practicing pharmacists in Finland. Methods The development of the self-assessment tool was based on the national medication review competence criteria for pharmacists established in Finland in 2017 and piloting the tool among practicing pharmacists in a national online survey in October 2018. The pharmacists self-assessed their medication review competence with a five-point Likert scale ranging from 1 for “very poor/not at all” to 5 for “very good”. Results The internal consistency of the self-assessment tool was high as the range of the competence areas’ Cronbach’s alpha was 0.953–0.973. The competence areas consisted of prescription review competence (20 items, Cronbach’s alpha 0.953), additional statements for medication review competence (11 additional items, Cronbach’s alpha 0.963) and medication review as a whole, including both the statements of prescription review and medication review competence (31 items, Cronbach’s alpha 0.973). Competence items closely related to routine dispensing were most commonly self-estimated to be mastered by the practicing pharmacists who responded (n = 344), while the more clinical and patient-centred competence items had the lowest self-estimates. This indicates that the self-assessment tool works logically and differentiates pharmacists according to competence. The self-assessed medication review competence was at a very good or good level among more than half (55%) of the respondents (n = 344). Conclusion A self-assessment tool for medication review competence was developed and validated. The piloted self-assessment tool can be used for regular evaluation of practicing pharmacists’ medication review competence which is becoming an increasingly important basis for their contribution to patient care and society.

Developing Medication Review Competency in Undergraduate Pharmacy Training: A Self-Assessment by Third-Year Students

“…Moreover, “monitoring and improving medication adherence and self-management” and “knowing current care guidelines and applying them to practice” were self-assessed as rather weak. These competence areas are also considered difficult by practicing pharmacists [ 28 , 39 ]. This may be because patient-care-oriented practice is not routine for practicing community pharmacists in Finland.…”

“…After completing the required medication review assignment, students self-assessed their medication review competency by using an electronic self-assessment instrument. The self-assessment instrument was based on the national medication review competency criteria for pharmacists established in Finland in 2017 [ 19 , 28 ]. The criteria include recommended competence areas for prescription reviews (17 competence items), medication reviews (prescription review competence items and 11 additional ones), and comprehensive medication reviews (3 additional items, [ 28 ]).…”

“…The self-assessment instrument was based on the national medication review competency criteria for pharmacists established in Finland in 2017 [ 19 , 28 ]. The criteria include recommended competence areas for prescription reviews (17 competence items), medication reviews (prescription review competence items and 11 additional ones), and comprehensive medication reviews (3 additional items, [ 28 ]). The competence criteria take into account legislation, the Finnish Medicines Agency’s guidelines on optimizing pharmacotherapy of older adults, Medicines Policy 2020 by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, national and international research on collaborative medication review practices (particularly references: [ 2 , 4 , 10 , 20 ]), and current undergraduate and continuing education on clinical pharmacy and medication reviews.…”

Perceptions of Community Pharmacists Towards Patient Counseling and Continuing Pharmacy Education Programs in Sudan

“…15,16 Although in Sudan and other African countries, some studies have addressed the counseling practice of community pharmacists, [17][18][19] however, further research is still needed to cover different aspects related to the profession of pharmacy. Furthermore, since pharmacists are one of the health professions that face the challenge of rising their competencies to meet the changeable requirements of society, 3 and their effective patient counseling is the cornerstone for achieving the required therapeutic goals 20 . This study aims to explore the perceptions of community pharmacists regarding patient counseling, and their perceptions toward continuing pharmacy education programs.…”

“… 2 The patient‑centered role of community pharmacist aims to improve the effectiveness of the therapy and minimize preventable drug-related problems which might cause morbidity and mortality. 3 Community pharmacists’ role has evolved substantially in the last decades, it involves treating diseases, managing chronic diseases, providing advice to other healthcare givers, contributing in immunization programs, and enhancing healthy lifestyles. 4 Despite that, patient counseling is considered one of the most important services provided by community pharmacists.…”