IJPP 2003, 11: 25–32
© 2003 Int J Pharm Pract
Received October 19, 2001
Accepted November 06, 2002
DOI 10.1211/002235702784
ISSN 0961-7671
Pharmacy Practice Research
Group, Aston University
Anthony R. Cox, teaching fellow
Eskimo New Media
Simon Whitaker
Consultant in Pharmacy Practice,
Research and Education
Angela M. Alexander
Correspondence:
Mr Cox,
Teaching Fellow, Pharmacy Practice Research Group, Aston
University, Birmingham, England
B4 7ET.
E-mail: coxar@aston.ac.uk
Original Papers
Internet networking for pharmacists: an evaluation of a mailing list for UK pharmacists
Simon Whitaker, Anthony R. Cox and Angela M. Alexander
AbstractObjective To analyse the content of messages to an internet mailing list for UK pharmacists and to ascertain if the list was performing a continuing professional development (CPD) function.
Method For one month all messages to the main list were categorised by topic; details of the gender of the correspondent and their sector of the profession were noted. Members were surveyed using an internet questionnaire.
Setting The population of subscribers to the mailing list at www.private-rx.com
Key findings The top three categories of e-mails posted to the list were clinical pharmacy (20%), pharmacy politics (18%) and non-pharmacy chat (14%). Other subjects included legal issues, the Drug Tariff, government policy, business, risk management and e-mails of a personal and supportive nature. The survey obtained a 46% response rate. Ninety-eight per cent of respondents found the list valuable. Respondents reported increased face to face and Internet contact with other pharmacists after joining the list. Forty-four per cent of respondents said their practice had changed as a result of information gained from the mailing list. Qualitative data self-reported by respondents indicated increased self-perceived competence, confidence, knowledge and skills. Approaches to CPD had also been re-examined. Listening to peers’ views and overcoming isolation was seen as important.
Conclusion Private-Rx provided pharmacists with a rapid route for information gain, had perceived benefits and appeared to have brought about changes in practice. Internet discussion enables CPD without the restriction of time or place and reaches pharmacists who are under-represented in formal education programmes.