Evaluating prescribing confidence among fourth-year pharmacy students
Background: Pharmacy education in the United Kingdom is evolving, with independent prescribing integrated into the Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) degree. In 2021, the General Pharmaceutical Council introduced new standards enabling newly qualified pharmacists to provide clinical care, including prescribing, from day one of registration (General Pharmaceutical Council, 2021). New MPharm learning outcomes emphasise essential prescribing skills, including diagnostic and consultation skills, risk management, and clinical decision-making (Girvin et al., 2023). By 2026, all newly qualified pharmacists will be prescribers, making it crucial to adequately prepare current pharmacy students.
Description of work: This study assesses the confidence of 115 fourth-year pharmacy students at the University of Hertfordshire in becoming prescribers. The online survey uses a 5-point Likert scale, where students rate their confidence in various prescribing areas, ranging from 'Strongly disagree' to 'Strongly agree.' The survey covers communication skills, history-taking, clinical examinations, and prescribing in different therapeutic areas. Open-ended questions explore the impact of final-year modules, simulations, and placements on prescribing preparation. Semi-structured group interviews provide deeper insights into their prescribing confidence. Quantitative data will be analysed using Qualtrics, and qualitative data will undergo thematic analysis.
Proposed evaluation: This study will evaluate final-year pharmacy students' self-reported confidence in prescribing, identifying areas of weakness and potential gaps in their education. It examines the impact of specific modules, simulations, and placements on their preparation and inform curriculum improvements. Findings can also guide future studies comparing confidence with competency assessments, such as OSCEs.
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