Abstract
Background: It is widely acknowledged that the healthcare system needs to evolve and seek innovative solutions to service provision. In terms of development of the pharmacy workforce, there is limited literature available on the scope for the introduction of pharmacy technicians (PTs) to General Practitioner (GP) practices in Northern Ireland (NI).
Aim: This study investigates the views and attitudes of NI General Practice Pharmacists (GPPs) on the introduction of PTs to the GP sector to optimise clinical pharmacy services and suggest a possible skill mix model for the GP pharmacy workforce.
Method: Data was collected via an online questionnaire comprising of three sections which was distributed via the Lead of NI GP Federation over a 2-week period. This was distributed to all GPPs working within the 17 GP Federations in NI. Potential roles for PTs were identified to suggest a skill mix model.
Results: GPPs undertake approximately 20 different tasks on a regular basis, 71% of GPPs felt PTs would be capable of undertaking some GPP tasks. Such tasks included: administration roles, medication reconciliation, clinical audits,
counselling patients and vaccination services. Furthermore, 63% of GPPs felt PTs would help support optimisation of clinical pharmacy services within the GP sector.
Conclusion: The study concluded that there is an obvious need for expansion of the GP pharmacy workforce. The majority of GPPs in NI had a positive view towards introducing PTs. The introduction of PTs has the potential to optimise
clinical pharmacy services, improve patient outcomes, ensure the best use of staff resources and result in greater job satisfaction for staff members working within the primary care sector.
Aim: This study investigates the views and attitudes of NI General Practice Pharmacists (GPPs) on the introduction of PTs to the GP sector to optimise clinical pharmacy services and suggest a possible skill mix model for the GP pharmacy workforce.
Method: Data was collected via an online questionnaire comprising of three sections which was distributed via the Lead of NI GP Federation over a 2-week period. This was distributed to all GPPs working within the 17 GP Federations in NI. Potential roles for PTs were identified to suggest a skill mix model.
Results: GPPs undertake approximately 20 different tasks on a regular basis, 71% of GPPs felt PTs would be capable of undertaking some GPP tasks. Such tasks included: administration roles, medication reconciliation, clinical audits,
counselling patients and vaccination services. Furthermore, 63% of GPPs felt PTs would help support optimisation of clinical pharmacy services within the GP sector.
Conclusion: The study concluded that there is an obvious need for expansion of the GP pharmacy workforce. The majority of GPPs in NI had a positive view towards introducing PTs. The introduction of PTs has the potential to optimise
clinical pharmacy services, improve patient outcomes, ensure the best use of staff resources and result in greater job satisfaction for staff members working within the primary care sector.
| Original language | English |
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| Publication status | Published (in print/issue) - 21 Oct 2024 |
| Event | European Society for Clinical Pharmacy Kraków symposium 2024: Implementing and scaling sustainable clinical pharmacy practice - DoubleTree by Hilton, Krakow, Poland, Krakow, Poland Duration: 20 Oct 2024 → 23 Oct 2024 Conference number: 52nd https://escpweb.org/escp_events/escp-krakow-symposium-2024/ |
Conference
| Conference | European Society for Clinical Pharmacy Kraków symposium 2024: Implementing and scaling sustainable clinical pharmacy practice |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | ESCP 2024 |
| Country/Territory | Poland |
| City | Krakow |
| Period | 20/10/24 → 23/10/24 |
| Internet address |
