Abstract
Background: Scarcity of health personnel with relevant competence is an impediment to achieving the UN health-related Millennium Development Goals in many Pacific-Island Countries (PICs). A systematic approach to improving essential medicines supply management and workforce competence has begun in the region. The development of a pharmacy competency framework has been identified as a priority.
Aim: To develop a validated pharmacy competency framework for PICs.
Method: Academics, Ministry of Health officials and health personnel collaborated to articulate a competency framework using participatory action research. The draft framework was revised via a process of workplace interviews and focus groups in Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea with wider regional validation undertaken using an online survey tool.
Results: A validated pharmacy competency framework was developed for PICs. 113 competencies required for delivery of pharmacy services, organised into four clusters: organisation and management (n = 24), professional/personal (n = 24), pharmaceutical public health (n = 24) and pharmaceutical care (n = 24) were identified.
Conclusion: The pharmacy competency framework for PICs is service-based and not cadre-specific, allowing wide application to the Pacific region where a myriad of personnel provide pharmacy services. Pharmacy service personnel in PICs are encouraged to use this tool when training staff and monitoring their effectiveness in local environments.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 268-272 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research |
Volume | 42 |
Issue number | 4 |
Publication status | Published - 2012 |
Externally published | Yes |