The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7191 p431-434
30 March 2002

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Letters to the Editor

Continuing professional development

A nannying, classroom schoolma'am

From Mr W. Hilton, MRPharmS

Although I have been retired from practice for close on 20 years and therefore not directly affected by current trends in the profession, I feel impelled to pen these few words in support of the letter by P. I. Herman (PJ, 2 March, p287).

I began a career in retail pharmacy in 1929, and cannot recall a time when the stance of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society towards the general membership did not appear sternly admonitory and disciplinary, rather like taking a refractory juvenile by the arm, shaking him gently or otherwise, and exhorting him to a more laudable lifestyle. That general trend, however, seems now to have become intensified. In the case of other health professionals by contrast, the leadership is essentially supportive, helpful and understanding in regard to the problems, financial and otherwise, of everyday practice.

I have no means of knowing to what extent formal CPD exists elsewhere, but surely any self-respecting health professional will of his own accord keep abreast of developments relevant to his discipline, rather than be required to do it.

The present nannying stance of the Society seems encapsulated exactly in the nice little notebook which is provided at the start of the year, wherein to record (for whose benefit?) one's progress in CPD. Nowadays I never see The Lancet or similar journals, but can scarcely imagine that doctors are given their needful updating information in this classroom schoolma'am style. I am sure that practising pharmacists would like to be treated as responsible adult professionals, rather than as potentially wayward novices and renegades.

Walter Hilton
Dorchester

Less free time for leisure activities

From Mr E. A. Pries, MRPharmS

That continuing professional development is necessary is probably agreed by most pharmacists, but there seems to be two major problems with its acceptance. The first is the time/cost factor. It is probable that the major retail chains are already allowing or will allow their pharmacists study time in working hours but this does not help locums and "lone pharmacists", who will have to study in their own time or lose money. It will also be a problem if we are to be taken seriously with the new roles and, for example, move full time into health centres doing things other than dispensing, or carry on non-dispensing roles from our shops. If, or rather when, this happens our work will be open ended and not 9am to 6pm, with preparation and writing up to do as well leaving even less free time for leisure.

It is to be hoped that recently qualified pharmacists are taught to retain the habit of studying and find CPD natural. However, the older we are the more out of the habit we are likely to be, especially studying in a modern way. I am only a few years from retirement and, although I always read my Journal and have done some long distance learning, I would find it hard to take up CPD. Would this make me a worse pharmacist than I have been all my life?

I am prepared to do some work but please go easy on the older members, and support those who would otherwise have to use valuable leisure time to study.

Ted Pries
Tonbridge, Kent

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