Adopting global tools for the advancement of pharmacy practice and workforce in Saudi Arabia

BackgroundThe continuing expansion of the pharmacist’s role necessitates continuous evaluation of current practice to identify strategies for improvements. The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) has developed tools to support stakeholders in identifying development needs and planning advancement strategies. The aim of this research was to utilise the FIP Global Competency Framework, version 2 (GbCF v2), and FIP Development Goals (DGs) to evaluate competencies related to pharmacy practice in Saudi Arabia, and to understand the strategies needed to develop and improve the current practice.MethodsThe study involved four phases. Phase 1 involved translation of the FIP GbCF v2 into the Arabic language. Phase 2 was a consensus panel validation to establish the initial relevance of the competencies to current practice. Phase 3 included a national survey distributed to all registered pharmacists in Saudi Arabia. The final phase was conducted through mapping ‘not relevant’ competencies to FIP DGs to identify priorities.ResultsThe translation phase yielded a bilingual framework that could be utilized by pharmacists in Saudi Arabia. The initial validation phase identified 61 behavioral statements (from 124 in the GbCF v2) as ‘highly relevant’ or ‘relevant’ to pharmacy practice. Findings from the national survey identified a list of ‘not relevant’ competencies that could highlight gaps in current practice. The final mapping phase generated a list of three FIP DG priorities: DG5 (competency development), DG8 (working with others) and DG11 (impact and outcomes).ConclusionThe study indicated that competencies in the GbCF v2 were relevant to pharmacists practicing in the country. However, some competencies were perceived as ‘not relevant’ to current practice and these highlighted gaps in the current practice that need attention. Mapping ‘not relevant’ competencies to FIP DGs should be used as a starting point towards developing strategies, systems, and protocols to advance pharmacy practice in Saudi Arabia.     

Training in Informatics: Teaching Informatics in Surgical Pathology

This article presents an overview of the curriculum deemed essential for trainees in pathology, with mapping to the Milestones competency statements. The means by which these competencies desired for pathology graduates, and ultimately practitioners, can best be achieved is discussed. The value of case (problem)-based learning in this realm, in particular the kind of integrative experience associated with hands-on projects, to both cement knowledge gained in the lecture hall or online and to expand competency is emphasized.     

A Retrospective Study of the Clinical Capstone Experience on Perceptions of Practice Readiness in Associate Degree Student Nurses and Preceptors

This Student Transitional Experience into Practice (STEP) study explored differences in perceptions of practice readiness expectations between associate degree student nurses and their preceptors after a clinical capstone experience. The STEP study is a quantitative, retrospective design, secondary data analysis using a practice readiness survey delivered to associate degree nursing students and their nurse preceptors. Student and preceptor perceptions of practice readiness varied significantly across skill competency domains.     

Cost Savings of Frequent,Concise Skills Competency Training in the Emergency Department

Nurse educators are confronted with ensuring skills competency and staff compliance to support the provision of safe and quality care. The ED setting presents additional challenges when conducting skills competency training. One military hospital’s emergency department implemented a method of frequent, concise skills training sessions to overcome barriers unique to the ED setting; the same method was then implemented at a second military organization owing to the effectiveness of the training approach to increase staff compliance. This article outlines the methods for the implementation of frequent, concise skills training sessions, and it displays the cost savings and increased compliance experienced by the 2 health care organizations after the implementation of this frequent, concise skills training method.     

置信专业活动的应用基础和研究进展

基于胜任力的医学教育已取得长足进展并产生广泛影响,但在临床实践方面的教学与评价仍然存在一定局限性。为了增强基于胜任力的医学教育在临床实践环境中的可操作性,将其切实应用于实际的临床实践教学和评价中,置信专业活动应运而生。本文介绍了置信专业活动定义与应用基础、阐述了置信专业活动与胜任力和医学教育里程碑之间的关系,并举例说明了置信专业活动的设置与评价,展望了未来的研究趋势。置信专业活动的引入可以为我国的医学教育发展提供新的思路与参考。     

主治医师团队抢救能力的评价与分析

目的评价并分析主治医师团队抢救能力,促进主治医师岗位胜任力的培养。方法2020年,以《2015年美国心脏协会心肺复苏及心血管急救指南》和医师胜任力框架中对领导者角色的定义为基础制订评价指标,运用胜任力导向的医学教育和客观结构化临床考试设计评价流程和内容,由主治医师带领1名住院医师和1名护士组成的团队实施抢救,以此考核方式对北京大学第一医院77名晋升满3年至4年的主治医师的团队抢救能力进行评价和分析。结果主治医师的操作技能评分[74.7(66.7,80.3)]高于领导能力评分[56.3(50.7,69.0)分],内科系统操作技能评分[78.9(75.6,86.7)分]高于外科系统[67.2(62.6,75.5)分],差异均具有统计学意义(均P<0.01);领导能力评分内科系统主治医师[64.7(50.7,73.7)分]比外科系统[53.3(49.7,60.7)]高,差异无统计学意义(P=0.07)。结论评价指标对团队抢救能力的评价基本客观,主治医师的领导能力有待提高,需要加强领导能力培养的探讨,同时加强外科系统主治医师操作技能的培养。     

PGY-specific benchmarks improve resident performance on Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery tasks

Background

Although expert proficiency times for Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) tasks exist, these times are not always attainable for junior residents. We hypothesize that post-graduate year (PGY)-specific benchmarks will improve resident performance of FLS tasks.

An evidence-led review of the FIP global competency framework for early career pharmacists training and development

BackgroundThe International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Global Competency Framework (GbCF) for early career pharmacists is an evidence-driven guide for pharmacist professional development. First published in 2012, the FIP GbCFv1 contains a structured assembly of competencies for pharmacists in four broad areas: pharmaceutical public health; pharmaceutical care; organisation and management; and professional/personal. FIP is committed to support the advancement of pharmacy around the world, and in light with the expansion of the type of services that pharmacists may provide to their patients and the advances in technology and therapeutics, revising and updating the GbCF is imperative.ObjectiveThe aim of this project was to revise and update the first published iteration of the FIP GbCFv1 (2012) to ensure currency and continued relevance.MethodsThis is a qualitative study that employed four rounds E-Delphi method. A group of international experts (n = 29) was convened to revise the GbCFv1 through an iterative approach with repeated and synchronised rounds of analysis and revision focusing on the currency of the competency areas and associated behavioural statements. The revision was conducted between January to August 2020.ResultsThe number of behavioural statements increased from 100 to 124 behavioural statements, with 23 competency domains, but remain structured within the competency clusters. Three new competencies were added to the GbCF (emergency response, digital literacy, and interprofessional collaboration) and one competency was renamed from self-management to leadership and self-regulation.ConclusionsThe process undertaken to revise the GbCFv1 are described, resulting in a valid and transnationally relevant GbCFv2. In the GbCFv2, the number of competencies and associated behavioural statements increased due to important additions including emergency response, digital literacy, interprofessional collaboration and an expansion of leadership and self-regulation. This process provides an assurance of relevancy and currency for a ‘fit for purpose’ early career competency development framework for global implementation.