David E Pfleger

Publications (2)2.43 Total impact

• Source

  Available from: Derek Stewart

  Article: Views, attitudes and self-assessed training needs of Scottish community pharmacists to public health practice and competence

  David E. Pfleger, Lorna W. McHattie, H. Lesley Diack, Dorothy J. McCaig, Derek C. Stewart
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  ABSTRACT: Objective To assess the education and training needs of community pharmacists to support the delivery of an expanded public health role. Setting Community pharmacy in Scotland. Method Two focus groups of community pharmacists (n=4 in each) in geographically distinct regions of Scotland explored issues of public health function, competencies and education and training. Findings from thematic analysis were used to develop a draft postal questionnaire. Following piloting, pharmacist managers from a random sample of 500 community pharmacies in Scotland were contacted by telephone to ascertain the number of pharmacists working in each pharmacy in the following 14-day period. A survey pack containing questionnaires for each identified pharmacist working in the study period was sent by post to the pharmacist manager in each pharmacy. The questionnaire contained items on: demographics; views and attitudes towards: public health; competencies for public health practitioners; and education and training needs. One postal reminder was sent 2weeks later. Main Outcome Measures Main themes identified from focus group discussions; questionnaire response rate; views and attitudes towards public health competencies and education and training. Results Four hundred and fifteen managers agreed to participate, providing 904 potential participants. The response rate was 25% (223/904). Most (n=179, 80%) were aware of the term ‘pharmaceutical public health’. While a majority saw the importance of public health to their practice (n=177, 79%) agreeing/strongly agreeing, they were less comfortable with the term ‘specialist’. Respondents viewed competencies relating to health promotion (n=192, 86%) more relevant than surveillance (n=70, 31%), risk management (n=29, 13%) and strategic developments (n=12, 5%). Responses indicated a desire for education and training with more than half (n=121, 54%) agreeing/strongly agreeing that they had a need now, with 69% (n=153) expressing a future need. Conclusion Results should be interpreted with caution due to the response rate. However, this research highlights the self assessed gap in competence related to pharmaceutical public health for community pharmacists in Scotland.
  Pharmacy World amp Science 04/2012; 30(6):801-809. · 1.22 Impact Factor
• Article: Developing consensus around the pharmaceutical public health competencies for community pharmacists in Scotland.

  David E Pfleger, Lorna W McHattie, H Lesley Diack, Dorothy J McCaig, Derek C Stewart
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  ABSTRACT: The new community pharmacy contract in Scotland will formalise the role of pharmacists in delivering public health services. To facilitate assessment of education and training needs it is necessary to define the relevant public health competencies for community pharmacists. The objective of this research was to define and develop consensus around such competencies. The "Skills for Health National Occupational Standards for Public Health Practitioners" was used to define an initial set of competencies. A two stage Delphi technique was undertaken to develop consensus. An expert panel, representing public health and pharmacy stakeholders, rated their agreement with the importance of each competency, with the agreement level set at 90%. Level of agreement (%) with each public health competency; those competencies achieving more than 90% agreement with importance for community pharmacy practice. Ten organisations (83% of those invited) and a total of 30 members (88%) agreed to take part in the process. In round 1 of the Delphi, responses were received from 25 (83%) individuals and 22 (73%) in round 2, with consensus being achieved for 25/68 (37%) competencies in round 1 and a further 8/68 (12%) in round 2. Public health competencies for community pharmacists achieving consensus predominantly focused on health improvement activities at individual and local community levels and ethical management of self rather than those relating to surveillance and assessment and strategic development. There is a need to research community pharmacists' views of these competencies and to systematically assess their education and training needs.
  Pharmacy World amp Science 02/2008; 30(1):111-9. · 1.22 Impact Factor