Evaluation of the Impact of a Physical Assessment Course on the Practice of Institutional Pharmacists

Abstract

Abstract:We aimed to assess the impact of a professional development course on clinical pharmacists' level of confidence using physical assessment (PA) and whether it resulted in changes to their clinical practice. Workshop participants were asked to complete a pre-workshop survey, as well as three post-workshop surveys, to assess the pharmacists' level of confidence in PA. Pharmacists were also asked about their integration of PA skills and use of Additional Prescribing Authority (APA). Pharmacists' confidence in performing PA, discussing PA findings, and using PA to manage drug therapy were significantly higher at all time-points post workshop. Pharmacists with APA also indicated increased confidence with prescribing. Professional development in physical assessment may provide opportunities for pharmacists to integrate new knowledge and skills within their practice. Future research should examine if such educational opportunities will support sustainable practice change.

Physical assessment educational programs for pharmacists and pharmacy students: A systematic review

“…All three studies involving practicing pharmacists reported this outcome 25‐27 . Practicing pharmacists' confidence with performing physical assessment improved from precourse to postcourse surveys in two studies 25,26 .…”

“…Two authors (A. R. B. and R. D. T.) then independently screened the 552 remaining citations, and 28 underwent full text review. Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria 12‐27 . The corresponding authors of three studies 22,24,26 were contacted via email and provided additional information about their methodology and results, and data from three studies were available to reviewers 23,25,27 .…”

“…Median study enrollment was 92 individuals (interquartile range [IQR], 78‐130). Thirteen studies 12‐24 were conducted with pharmacy students, mainly second‐ or third‐year students in an entry‐level Doctor of Pharmacy program, and three studies involved practicing pharmacists 25‐27 . Enrolment in the courses by practicing pharmacists was voluntary and could be claimed as continuing education.…”

“…All three studies involving practicing pharmacists reported this outcome 25‐27 . Practicing pharmacists' confidence with performing physical assessment improved from precourse to postcourse surveys in two studies 25,26 . Furthermore, two studies evaluated confidence with performing physical assessment from immediately after the course to 6 months postcourse with conflicting results: one study 26 showed a significant improvement in confidence, while the other study showed no significant difference 27 …”

Developing Physical Assessment Skills in Pharmacy Students through Participation in a Creative Movement Workshop: An Interdisciplinary Study between Pharmacy and Dance

“…In a second study, by Breault, et al, which assessed licensed pharmacist’s impressions of physical assessment skills in an institutional setting before and after a workshop, the most common barriers identified as to why physical assessment is not performed in practice were: lack of comfort, lack of training, and deeming it unnecessary since other professionals complete this skill [ 24 ]. Additionally, when pharmacists scored their level of comfort before the workshop, the average score was a one, which translated to “not confident” in performing physical assessments [ 25 ]. Finally, in a study by Chevalier et al, where physicians and nurses were surveyed on the services that clinical pharmacists provide, none of the physicians surveyed indicated that having pharmacists complete physical assessment would be beneficial to their practice [ 26 ].…”