Foundation Programme: Workshops

Aim

To develop the competence required to adopt a systematic approach to optimising a patient’s use of medicines.

Learning outcomes

• Undertake a clinical review of patient’s medicines and drug history to ensure appropriateness;
• Use evidence-based clinical knowledge to identify medication-related problems and make appropriate recommendations, or take appropriate actions, to resolve such problems;
• Proactively review prescriptions to recognise and correct the overuse of medications;
• Implement recommendations according to the Northern Ireland formulary;
• Introduce strategies to promote adherence to medicines;
• Undertake medicines reconciliation for patients at transfer of care;
• Document changes and recommendations appropriately on the prescribing system and patient notes;
• Keep the patient at the centre of approach to care at all times.

Aim

To enable pharmacists to monitor patients and make appropriate recommendations regarding therapy, through the interpretation of laboratory tests.

Learning outcomes

• Critically analyse and interpret lab test results;
• Make clinical decisions in an efficient and systematic manner with reference to the evidence-base;
• Manage uncertainty and risk appropriately when making decisions relating to patient care;
• Monitor the impact and outcome of therapy using lab results;
• Request further lab tests as appropriate to provide comprehensive pharmaceutical care;
• Confidently engage in case-based discussion focusing on the interpretation of lab test results.

Aim

To adopt a systematic approach to governance, clinical audit and quality improvement, to ensure safer and more effective prescribing and prescribing processes within general practice.

Learning outcomes

• Use principles of risk management to prevent, analyse and learn from adverse events and near misses;
• Document adverse events and near misses;
• Identify the high-risk medicines commonly used in general practice;
• Implement local and professional clinical governance policies and procedures within your practice;
• Actively support research in the workplace and contribute to evidence creation;
• Audit, monitor and evaluate prescribing;
• Apply the principles of quality improvement to primary care practice with a view to achieving better outcomes for patients and staff.

Aim

To communicate effectively and work efficiently as part of an interprofessional team within general practice.

Learning outcomes

• Understand the benefits of working in teams;
• Identify the strengths of individuals within your team;
• Communicate confidently and effectively with patients and other member of the healthcare team;
• Minimise conflict by ensuring all team members appreciate the strengths of their colleagues;
• Prioritise tasks effectively to optimise your productivity.

Therapeutics A: Respiratory

Aim

To support pharmacists in the application of evidence-based guidelines to optimise the use of medicines for patients with asthma/COPD.

Learning outcomes

• List the common signs and symptoms associated with asthma and COPD;
• Optimise medicines use in patients with asthma or COPD in accordance with national guidelines;
• Provide advice on the management of asthma and COPD, including exacerbations;
• Support patients using self-management plans to effectively manage their condition;
• Analyse clinical and patient information for patients with asthma/COPD;
• Monitor effectiveness of therapy;
• Conduct patient-centred consultations to support the management of their condition.

Therapeutics B: Diabetes

Aim

To support pharmacists in the application of evidence-based guidelines to reduce modifiable risk factors for patients at high risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and optimise the use of medicines in those with established T2DM.

Learning outcomes

• Identify patients at risk of developing T2DM and encourage them to implement appropriate lifestyle modifications;
• Provide advice regarding the relative benefits of different lifestyle modifications for T2DM;
• Analyse clinical and patient information for patients with T2DM;
• Develop a clinical management plan to optimise the use of medicines for patients with T2DM;
• Conduct patient-centred consultations to support patients in reducing their T2DM risk;
• Discuss approaches to improving the prevention of T2DM in your GP practice.

Aim

To develop the relevant basic clinical skills to enable pharmacists to undertake their role in primary care and support other healthcare professionals within practice.

Learning outcomes

• Record a basic clinical patient history;
• Understand when and why clinical assessment should take place;
• Appreciate how to complete the following accurately in practice:
• Measure height, weight and BMI
• Measure blood pressure and radial pulse
• Urine testing and interpretation of results
• Measure blood glucose
• Introduction to respiratory examination including respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, breath sounds
• Measure peak flow accurately
• Assess inhaler technique
• Apply clinical reasoning when assessing the results of tests;
• Appreciate the benefits and limitations of commonly used scoring tools, including QRISK3, FRAX, frailty score etc.

Aim

To develop competence in the recording of clinical notes, highlighting the importance of accurate and up-to-date records for both patient care and professional defence.

Learning outcomes

• Describe why clinical notes are important;
• Apply the legal, statutory and contractual requirements to your clinical note taking;
• Stay up-to-date with the principles of good record keeping;
• Reflect on the quality of your own clinical note recording;
• Understand the need to work within ethical guidelines including consent and confidentiality.

Aim

To support pharmacists in the application of evidence-based guidelines to reduce modifiable risk factors for patients at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD)and optimise the use of medicines in those with established CVD.

Learning outcomes

• Identify patients at risk of developing CVD and encourage them to implement appropriate lifestyle modifications;
• Provide advice regarding the relative benefits of different lifestyle modifications for CVD;
• Analyse clinical and patient information for patients with CVD;
• Develop a clinical management plan to optimise the use of medicines for patients with CVD;
• Conduct patient-centred consultations to support patients in reducing their CVD risk;
• Discuss approaches to improving the prevention of CVD in your GP practice.

Aim

To provide an environment where pharmacists can develop their confidence in discussing clinical cases with other healthcare professionals.

Learning outcomes

• Deliver concise summaries of cases to other healthcare professionals;
• Foster competence in analysing clinical and non-clinical information, critical thinking, appraising options and making decisions;
• Improve confidence in providing recommendations to another professional colleagues;
• Develop autonomy and an ability to justify recommendations made to another healthcare professional;
• Work safely within your own level of competence, referring to other team members as appropriate.

Aim

Through the application of evidence-based guidelines, optimise the use of medicines in older patients.

Learning outcomes

• Understand the physiological changes associated with the natural ageing process and how these changes impact prescribing;
• Recognise the factors that lead to polypharmacy in older people and the consequences of such;
• Identify potentially inappropriate medicines for older people;
• Describe the tools used to screen for potentially inappropriate prescribing in older people;
• Conduct patient-centred consultations to support older patients taking multiple medicines;
• Apply the principles of deprescribing and implement drug holidays where appropriate;
• Discuss approaches to improve the prevention of potentially inappropriate prescribing for older people in your GP practice.

Aim

To further develop the competence required to optimise the use of medicines in patients with multimorbidity and polypharmacy.

Learning outcomes

• Use decision-making tools and the evidence-base to identify and undertake a clinical review for patients taking multiple medicines;
• Identify patients for whom medicines could be appropriately deprescribed;
• Identify patients for whom a drug holiday would be appropriate;
• Provide appropriate written and verbal information to patients about their conditions, medicines and potential medication changes;
• Engage in patient-centred discussions with patients about their medicines;
• Discuss approaches to improve medicines optimisation within your practice.

Aim

To prepare pharmacists for the final assessment associated with the Practice-based pharmacist foundation programme.

Learning outcomes

• Understand the format of the final assessment and the standard required to pass the assessment;
• Objectively appraise the evidence contained within your portfolio;
• Assess the accuracy of the mapping of evidence within your portfolio;
• Review your portfolio of evidence to ensure it meets the required standard;
• Prepare for the final interview assessment to demonstrate and showcase your competence against the RPS Foundation Pharmacy Framework.

Aim

To prepare pharmacists for the final assessment associated with the Practice-based pharmacist foundation programme.

Learning outcomes

• Understand the format of the final assessment and the standard required to pass the assessment;
• Objectively appraise the evidence contained within your portfolio;
• Assess the accuracy of the mapping of evidence within your portfolio;
• Review your portfolio of evidence to ensure it meets the required standard;
• Prepare for the final interview assessment to demonstrate and showcase your competence against the RPS Foundation Pharmacy Framework.

Aim

To prepare pharmacists for the final assessment associated with the Practice-based pharmacist foundation programme.

Learning outcomes

• Understand the format of the final assessment and the standard required to pass the assessment;
• Objectively appraise the evidence contained within your portfolio;
• Assess the accuracy of the mapping of evidence within your portfolio;
• Review your portfolio of evidence to ensure it meets the required standard;
• Prepare for the final interview assessment to demonstrate and showcase your competence against the RPS Foundation Pharmacy Framework.

Aim

To prepare pharmacists for the final assessment associated with the Practice-based pharmacist foundation programme.

Learning outcomes

• Understand the format of the final assessment and the standard required to pass the assessment;
• Objectively appraise the evidence contained within your portfolio;
• Assess the accuracy of the mapping of evidence within your portfolio;
• Review your portfolio of evidence to ensure it meets the required standard;
• Prepare for the final interview assessment to demonstrate and showcase your competence against the RPS Foundation Pharmacy Framework.