Does participation in formal postgraduate studies have a positive impact on pharmacists’ professional activities?

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The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 276 No 7387 p175-179
11 February 2006

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Original papers

Does participation in formal postgraduate studies have a positive impact on pharmacists’ professional activities?

By Jeff Aston and Patricia Black

Jeff Aston, MSc, MRPharmS, is a hospital teacher practitioner pharmacist at New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton. At the time of the study he was senior pharmacist for elderly care at Good Hope Hospital NHS Trust.

Pat Black, MAODE, MRPharmS, is senior lecturer and postgraduate courses development manager/director of postgraduate studies in the Department of Medicines Management at Keele University.

Correspondence to:
Jeff Aston
Pharmacy Department, New Cross Hospital, Wednesfield Road, Wolverhampton WV10 OQP
e-mail jeff.aston@nhs.net

Abstract

Aim
To identify any changes in pharmacists' professional activities following participation in and completion of a postgraduate qualification.

Design
A quantitative study using a pre-piloted postal questionnaire consisting of closed and open questions as well as rating scales.

Subjects and setting
227 pharmacists who had completed a postgraduate qualification for community pharmacists or hospital pharmacists with the Department of Medicines Management, Keele University, between 1999 and 2002.

Results
131 questionnaires were returned and analysed (response rate 57.7%). A number of changes in professional activities were identified including an increase in the number and complexity of clinical interventions made by respondents. These were irrespective of whether the respondents had changed job. Respondents identified a number of activities they believed they would not be doing had they not completed a programme of postgraduate study. These included medicines management and providing prescribing advice. This appeared to be related to the clinical and communication skills that they identified as being the most useful skills derived from their qualification.

Conclusions
Postgraduate qualifications for community pharmacists and hospital pharmacists appear to have a positive impact on pharmacists’ professional activities. Postgraduate programmes must continue to evolve to provide for future developing needs.