Direct evaluation of skills, knowledge and behaviours of pharmacists in the Republic of Ireland

Abstract

The approach to reviewing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for pharmacists in Ireland has undergone significant change over the past decade. All registered pharmacists must maintain an electronic portfolio of their CPD, which is reviewed periodically. Patient-facing pharmacists may also be randomly selected to participate in Practice Review. This consists of a clinical knowledge multiple choice question (MCQ) examination (Clinical Knowledge Review (CKR)) and interactions with simulated patients centred on pharmaceutical care cases ((Standardised Pharmacy Interactions (SPIs)). The processes underpinning Practice Review are described and a summary of the performance outcomes of pharmacists since the inception of the review process in 2018 are outlined. To date 310 patient-facing pharmacists have participated in Practice Review with the vast majority demonstrating competence. The significance of these results in the context of assessing competence is considered and the merits and limitations of Practice Review are discussed.