ORCID Profile
0000-0002-0037-7794
Current Organisation
Robert Gordon University
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Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 03-2007
Abstract: Objective To investigate the challenges experienced by pharmacists in delivering supplementary prescribing (SP) services, to explore their perceptions of benefits of SP and to obtain feedback on both SP training and implementation. Method A postal questionnaire focusing on prescribing training, early experiences of prescribing and general demographics was sent in September to November 2005 to all SP pharmacists (n = 488) in Great Britain after excluding a pilot s le (n = 30). The biggest benefits and challenges of SP, and reasons for not practising SP, were identified. Responses to a general open question were content analysed for major themes. Key findings A total of 401 responses (82.2%) was received 195 (48.6%) had started practising SP of which 154 (79%) had written at least one prescription. This paper focuses primarily on perceived benefits and challenges to the implementation of SP, and the responses to the open question. Better patient management (n = 58 29.7%) was identified as the main benefit of SP and inadequate funding (n = 27 13.8%) as the biggest challenge in delivering SP service. The main reasons for not commencing SP were: no organisational recognition of SP (n = 37 18%) lack of funding (n = 33 16%) non-availability of prescription pads (n = 22 10.7%), and change of jobs (n = 18 8.7%). The comments to the open question (n = 145 36.2%) were regarding: SP training perceived benefits of SP and barriers to SP. Respondents highlighted the need for greater emphasis on clinical skills development as part of the SP course. Conclusion Despite optimism among SP pharmacists, the need for support in terms of infrastructure and integration into the healthcare team has been identified. Our findings also inform the need for modifications in the structure, content and delivery of the prescribing course for pharmacists. Greater publicity of pharmacists' roles in medication management, support from the medical profession and healthcare organisations, and high standards by early practitioners are warranted for the success of SP by pharmacists.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 05-05-2009
DOI: 10.1345/APH.1L609
Abstract: Nonmedical (ie, nonphysician) prescribing is a key development in the UK that has brought about many changes in prescribing policy and practice. Systematic research into the views of the general public toward such developments is limited. To determine the awareness of, views on, and attitudes of members of the Scottish general public toward nonmedical prescribing, with an emphasis on pharmacist prescribing. A questionnaire was mailed in November 2006 to a random s le of 5000 members of the general public in Scotland aged 18 and over, obtained from the UK electoral roll. The questionnaire contained items on awareness of nonmedical prescribing, levels of comfort with specific health professionals, and attitudes toward pharmacist prescribing. Response rate was 37.1%. More than half of the in iduals who responded were taking prescribed drugs. Nine hundred and seventy-eight (56.6%) were aware that trained health professionals could write prescriptions for medicines previously only prescribed by physicians. Awareness was associated with: increasing age (p 0.001), having a health professional in their immediate family (p 0.001), self-rated general health (p 0.005), and a higher education level (p 0.01). In logistic regression, all factors were retained as independent predictors of awareness (p 0.001). Comfort levels for nonmedical prescribing were highest for pharmacists (median 4, IQR 3–5 [1 = low, 5 = high]), closely followed by nurses, and lowest for radiographers (median 2, IQR 1–4) (p .001). While more than half of the respondents supported pharmacists having a prescribing role, fewer felt that pharmacists should prescribe the same range of drugs as physicians. There were concerns about lack of privacy in a pharmacy, despite acknowledging its enhanced convenience. Our results indicate that more than half of the respondents were aware of nonmedical prescribing. A higher proportion was more comfortable with prescribing by pharmacists and nurses than with other healthcare professionals. Several issues relating to aspects of clinical governance were highlighted, specifically education and data handling.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-09-2008
DOI: 10.1007/S11096-008-9248-X
Abstract: The aim of this study was to explore patients' perspectives and experiences of pharmacist supplementary prescribing (SP) in Scotland. A survey in primary and secondary care in Scotland. Pharmacist supplementary prescribers (n = 10) were purposively selected across Scotland. All pharmacists distributed questionnaires to 20 consecutive patients as they attended appointments during October to December 2006. Reminders were mailed to all 20 patients by each pharmacist 2 weeks after initial distribution. The questionnaire contained items on: attitudes towards pharmacist SP derived from earlier qualitative research consultation satisfaction derived from a validated scale developed initially for general practitioners, with the term 'doctor' being replaced by 'pharmacist prescriber' and demographics. Closed and Likert scales were used as response options. One pharmacist withdrew. The patient response rate was 57.2% (103/180). The median age was 67 years (interquartile range 56.5-73 years), with 53.4% being female. Most (76, 73.8%) consulted with the pharmacist in a general practice setting. Patients reported positive consultation experiences with 89.3% agreeing/strongly agreeing that they were satisfied with the consultation, 78.7% thought the pharmacist told them everything about their treatment and 72.9% felt the pharmacist was interested in them as a person. Most patients were positive in their attitudes, agreeing that they would recommend a pharmacist prescriber to others and that they had trust in the pharmacist. However, 65% would prefer to consult a doctor. Most patient respondents were satisfied with, and had a positive attitude towards, pharmacist prescribing consultations. However, most patients would still elect to see a doctor given the choice.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 09-06-2011
DOI: 10.1111/J.2042-7174.2011.00130.X
Abstract: To evaluate the views of patients across primary care settings in Great Britain who had experienced pharmacist prescribing. All Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) prescribers (n = 1622) were invited to participate. Those consenting were asked to invite up to five consecutive patients who had experienced their prescribing to participate. Patients were mailed one questionnaire and a reminder. The questionnaire included five sections: demographics you and your pharmacist prescriber you and your general practitioner your views and experiences based on your most recent pharmacist prescriber consultation and additional views. Of the 482 (29.7%) pharmacists who responded, 92 (19.1%) were eligible to participate, of whom 49 (53.3%) consented. Of those excluded, 193 (49.5%) were prescribing in secondary care and 171 (43.8%) were not prescribing. Between September 2009 and March 2010, 143 patients were recruited. Patient response rate was 73.4% (n = 105/143). Consultation settings were largely general practice (85.7%) or community pharmacy (11.4%). Attitudes were overwhelmingly positive with the vast majority agreeing/strongly agreeing that they were totally satisfied with their consultation and confident that their pharmacist prescribed as safely as their general practitioner (GP). Pharmacists were considered approachable and thorough, and most would recommend consulting a pharmacist prescriber. A slightly smaller majority would prefer to consult their GP if they thought their condition was getting worse and a small minority felt that there had been insufficient privacy and time for all their queries to be answered. Patients were satisfied with, and confident in the skills of, pharmacist prescribers. However, the s le was small, may be biased and the findings lack generalisability.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 10-2006
DOI: 10.1345/APH.1H227
Abstract: Pharmacists in Great Britain can undertake supplementary prescribing (SP) after training at a higher education institution and completing a “period of learning in practice” in accordance with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) curriculum. To explore SP pharmacists' early experiences of prescribing and their perceptions of the prescribing course. A questionnaire was mailed to all RPSGB prescribers (N = 518, on June 1, 2005 30 used in pilot questionnaire). Predictors of pharmacists starting to practice SP were identified in univariate analysis, and significant variables were further tested in multivariate analysis. The respondents (n = 401 82.2%) were mainly female (270 67.3%), had more than 20 years' experience as a pharmacist (123 30.7%), worked in hospital settings (160 39.9%), and focused on cardiovascular conditions (143 35.7%) during their period of learning in practice. The median course satisfaction score, on a scale of 3 to 15 (lowest to highest), was 10. Practicing SP was self-reported by 195 (48.6%) respondents, 154 (79%) of whom had written a prescription. Ninety (58.4%) of the first prescriptions were written in primary care settings. Better patient management was regarded as the major benefit by 139 (71.3%) of those engaged in SP, while funding issues were identified by 71 (36.4%) as major barriers in implementing the practice. Lack of organizational recognition of SP was the main reason given (37 18%) for those not commencing the practice. Independent predictors of those practicing SP included a longer time since registering as prescriber (p 0.001) confidence of pharmacists in their prescribing abilities (p 0.001) practicing in a setting other than community pharmacy (p = 0.001) and training in cardiovascular conditions or multiple conditions during the period of learning in practice (p = 0.005). Pharmacists have made progress in implementing SP, which is perceived by pharmacist prescribers as beneficial for both patients and themselves. Pharmacists need more support in terms of infrastructure and integration into the healthcare team to overcome some of the barriers to implementing SP.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 12-2007
Abstract: The aim of this research was to investigate in a national s le of pharmacists, who have not yet applied for a supplementary prescribing (SP) course, their planned participation in training, and attitudes towards pharmacist SP. Setting Great Britain. A postal questionnaire was sent to 4300 pharmacists (approximately 10% of all Great Britain registered pharmacists). The questionnaire had five sections: awareness of SP training perceptions of aspects of SP training actions taken relating to SP training based on ‘stage of change’ model attitudes towards implementing SP into practice and demographics. Within demographics, respondents were asked to denote themselves as innovators, early adopters, early majority, late majority and laggards, based on receptivity to change. Non-respondents were mailed up to two reminders. The response rate was 55.1% (2371/4300). Of the 1707 with patient contact but who had not commenced training, almost all (1668, 97.7%) were aware of pharmacist SP. A minority had taken any significant SP training action, with most being at the precontemplation/contemplation stage of change. However, most respondents either strongly agreed/agreed that practising SP would improve patient care, but strongly disagreed/disagreed that they had sufficient pharmacist/technical support. Two-hundred and forty-three (73.0%) of the ‘venturesome’ pharmacists (the innovators) and 291 (79.5%) of the ‘role models’ (the role models) had either never thought about training or had not yet explored training options further. Following logistic regression, predictors of prescribing training actions were: awareness of local networks for SP receptivity to change knowledge of colleagues who had undertaken or were currently undertaking SP training postgraduate qualifications intrinsic (professional) factors such as professional duty to become a prescriber and extrinsic (infrastructure) factors such as sufficient IT support. We have demonstrated that pharmacists are aware of SP courses and that certain factors are associated with actions relating to prescribing training. However, the practice setting(s) require(s) attention to ensure readiness to support such innovations in areas such as IT and administrative support. These issues have implications for education providers, the NHS and policy makers and the extension into independent prescribing. Issues based on receptivity to change and models of change require further investigation.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 06-2007
DOI: 10.1345/APH.1H650
Abstract: A period of learning in practice (PLP) is an integral part of supplementary prescribing training for pharmacists in Great Britain. During the PLP, a designated medical practitioner (DMP) supervises and supports the trainee to develop competence in prescribing. To evaluate the views and experiences of supplementary prescribing pharmacists and DMPs regarding the PLP and identify their perceived support needs during the PLP. Prepiloted questionnaires were mailed in September 2006 to all pharmacists who had started their supplementary prescribing training at The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Scotland (n = 242) and their DMPs (n = 232). Nonrespondents were sent up to 2 reminders. Responses were analyzed using descriptive and comparative statistics responses to open questions were analyzed thematically. Responses were received from 186 (76.9%) pharmacists and 144 (62.1%) DMPs. Just over half of the pharmacists agreed/strongly agreed that they knew what was expected of them and their DMPs during the PLP, but less than half agreed/strongly agreed that it was important to communicate with pharmacist colleagues in the prescribing course. One hundred twelve (60.2%) pharmacists had their consultation skills reviewed by their DMPs during the PLP. Opportunities for professional development and teamwork were regarded as major positive experiences by both pharmacists and DMPs. Organizational, attitudinal, and time barriers were also reported. There was considerable interest among both pharmacists and DMPs for an Internet-based support network during the PLP. Information on the roles and responsibilities of pharmacists and DMPs during the PLP should be enhanced. The Internet could be a useful medium for communication during the PLP. Input from a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals and review of consultation videos could further enhance the PLP experience. Un período de aprendizaje en la práctica (PAP) es parte integral del adiestramiento de prescripción suplementaria (PS) para farmacéuticos en Gran Bretaña. Durante el PAP, un profesional médico designado (PMD) supervisa y ofrece apoyo a la persona que se adiestra para desarrollar la facultad de prescribir.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 22-05-2013
DOI: 10.1007/S11096-013-9792-X
Abstract: Under UK legislation, suitably qualified non-medical professionals can practise as prescribers. Few studies have explored the views of the general public towards non-medical prescribing. The aim was to explore the views of the Scottish general public on non-medical prescribing. General community in Scotland. A pre-piloted survey was mailed to a random s le of 5,000 members of the general public in Scotland. In addition to the items on awareness of and attitudes towards non-medical prescribing, respondents were asked to 'give any other comments, issues or concerns you have in relation to health professionals other than doctors prescribing.' Responses were subjected to content analysis. Key themes identified from content analysis. The overall questionnaire response rate was 37.1 % (n = 1,855) of which 27.2 % (n = 505) provided comments. Most were directly related to pharmacist prescribing (n = 312) while others referred to non-medical prescribers generically (n = 172) or other healthcare professionals (n = 79). Nine themes were identified: perception of knowledge and training support for a limited range of non-medical prescribing access to medical records motivation and convenience confidence, faith and trust privacy and confidentiality risks, controls and continuity of care supervision and conflict of interest communication and cooperation. The findings identify support for non-medical prescribing but indicate the need for non-medical prescribers to engage more with the general public. The comments also provide insight into the challenges for non-medical prescribers, as they strive to fulfil their extended healthcare roles.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 23-04-2010
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 07-06-2010
Abstract: To develop and validate an assessment tool, based on the 'Royal College of General Practitioners' (RCGP) Video Assessment Tool', for assessment of pharmacist prescribers' consultation skills. Competency areas of the RCGP tool were left unchanged but performance criteria for each were modified to reflect pharmacist prescribing. Each criterion and the overall consultation were rated from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent). A purposive s le of 10 experienced prescribing pharmacists was selected. Each pharmacist identified, recruited and consented two patients. Video recordings of consultations were assessed independently by two randomly assigned GPs, experienced in the use of the RCGP tool, using the newly developed scale. Inter-rater reliability was assessed. Construct validity was assessed by comparing the assessor score with a patient satisfaction score. Spearman's rho was used to test the correlation between the two scores. The RCGP tool was modified to give the 'Pharmacist Consultation Assessment Tool' (PharmaCAT). The median overall PharmaCAT consultation rating was 3. There was good agreement between the two assessors for total scores (intraclass correlation coefficient=0.694). Fourteen (78%) patient satisfaction questionnaires were returned most (n=13, 93%) agreed/strongly agreed that they were entirely satisfied with the consultation. Correlations between average total scores on PharmaCAT and the patient satisfaction questionnaire were weak (Spearman's rho=0.142 and 0.242 for both assessors). The PharmaCAT has been tested in the pharmacist prescriber setting. The tool had discriminatory power across different domains and inter-rater reliability. The PharmaCAT has potential to be used as a formative and/or summative assessment tool.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 23-10-2007
DOI: 10.1007/S11096-007-9172-5
Abstract: To explore the views and experiences of pharmacists and their mentoring designated medical practitioners (DMPs) about the 'period of learning in practice' (PLP) as part of supplementary prescribing (SP) training. Two focus groups (n = 5 and 7) of SP pharmacists were organised in Scotland. The experiences and views of DMPs (n = 13) were explored using one-to-one telephone interviews. The focus groups and interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using the framework approach. Views and experiences of pharmacists and DMPs about the PLP. Planning the PLP in consultation with the DMP was found to be crucial for an optimal learning experience. Pharmacists who did not have a close working relationship with the medical team had difficulties in identifying a DMP and organising their PLP. Participants stressed the importance of focusing on and achieving the core competencies for prescribers during the PLP. Input from doctors involved in the training of others, review of consultation videos, and formal independent assessment including clinical assessment at the end of the PLP might improve the quality of the PLP. Forums for discussing experiences during the PLP and gathering information might be valuable. Our findings have implications for prescribing training for pharmacists in the future. The PLP should focus on core competencies with input from doctors involved in the training of others and have a formal assessment of consultation skills. Support for pharmacists in organising the PLP and forums for discussing experiences during the PLP would be valuable.
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
No related grants have been discovered for Lesley Diack.