Society survey identifies strong support networks for pharmacists
A study for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society has identified strong networks of support groups for pharmacists.
A survey and interviews to map the professional networks in place at
the end of 2005 identified 188 support groups. The most common function
was professional support but leadership support, links to the NHS, clinical
support and continuing professional development support were also cited.
Primary care pharmacists were found to have the strongest networks. Many
support networks were not restricted to single sectors.
A summary report appears
on p148. The full report, “Scoping the
profession”, can be found on the Society’s website (PDF 100K).
Eileen Neilson, head of policy at the Society, said: “The evolving
roles in pharmacy and the changing composition of the workforce mean
that the existence of networks is all the more important for the profession,
to guard against professional isolation and enable pharmacists to share
good practice.”
Bob Michell, lay member of Council and chairman of the working group
that considered the findings, said: “There is no doubt that this
work will need to be developed, as recognised by the Society’s
Council. The future of pharmacy is extremely bright with growing importance
of pharmacists in health care teams and increasing scope for specialisation.
To realise their full potential both in caring for patients and developing
their professional expertise, pharmacists will need easy access to reliable
and comprehensive support networks, both those based geographically and
those capitalising on the flexibility of the internet. That is the ideal
that we must achieve.”
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The
Pharmaceutical Journal