The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7200 p777
1 June 2002

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United Kingdom Clinical Pharmacy Association summary

Assessment support for pharmacists

Use of a structured, competency-based assessment programme improves the performance of junior pharmacists, according to Grainne Goldsmith, senior pharmacist, general and emergency medicine directorate, Barts and The London NHS Trust.

A multicentre study was carried out to evaluate a change in competency of B-grade pharmacists over a 12-week period compared with a control group. A competency assessment framework, developed by senior pharmacy practitioners on behalf of the London-South East clinical practitioner development group, was used to assess ward based activities.

The framework provided a tool with which to define appropriate service levels for junior pharmacists as well as a means to assess whether these were being achieved. The framework is now being evaluated in 11 active sites and nine control sites, assessing approximately 85 junior pharmacists.