Udoh, AE; (2016) Identifying and evaluating foundation and advanced pharmacy practice competencies in a global context. Doctoral thesis , UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

The expertise of the health professionals involved in care delivery influences the overall quality of care provided in the health sector. Empirical evidence demonstrates that when the competencies that are essential for practice are identified, compiled to form a framework, and used alongside standards of practice: it aids expertise development and fosters improvement of professional performance. This research aimed to identify and evaluate foundation and advanced level pharmacy practice competencies. Its objective was to validate the FIP Global Competency Framework (GbCF v1) as a mapping tool for use in the development of country-specific pharmacy practice frameworks in the African region. Its second objective was to evaluate the competencies that are essential for global advanced pharmacy practice. An online cross-sectional survey of pharmacists from fourteen African countries (n=469) demonstrates that 90% of the foundation level competencies contained in the GbCF v1 are relevant to practice. This validates the GbCF v1 as a mapping tool that can be used to develop country-specific frameworks for early career practitioners in the selected countries. A systematic literature review and content analysis of two national frameworks identified 64 competencies and 237 behaviours for advanced pharmacy practice. An expert panel review (n= 14) developed consensus on these competencies via a modified Delphi technique. Based on consensus, 89.5% of the identified behaviours were similar between the two frameworks. A crossover mapping experiment involving advanced practitioners (n=42) from four countries showed within-subject agreement for matching competencies in the frameworks. This agreement was significant for 84% of the competencies (k ≥ 0.25; p ≤ 0.05). Semi structured interviews of advanced practitioners (n=17) indicates the identified competencies were all relevant to practice. General consensus on similarity between the two frameworks was also obtained from the interviews. This demonstrates the existence of a core set of competencies applicable to advanced pharmacy practitioners from different countries. It provides evidence of the feasibility of defining the competencies essential for global advanced pharmacy practice. The research reported in this thesis provides evidence that was previously lacking on the validity of the Global Competency Framework in specific countries in Africa. It also provides preliminary data on the competencies that are required for global advanced pharmacy practice. Overall, these findings provide valuable insights that can be developed through further research to serve as a driver for global policy. .

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