Identifying the perceived training needs for A ustralian pharmacist prescribers

Objective To explore pharmacists’ perceived needs on training required to undertake an expanded prescribing role taking account of their years of registration, current professional practice area and preferred prescribing model. Methods A piloted self‐administered questionnaire was distributed nationally to a random sample of pharmacists. Data were analysed using SPSS version18 software where data cross‐tabulations, chi‐squared and one‐way analyses of variance were performed. Key findings A response rate of 40.4% (1049/2592) was achieved. Pathophysiology of conditions, principles of diagnosis, and patient assessment and monitoring were the most preferred training topics. There was no difference ( P  = 0.620) in pharmacists’ perceived needs for additional training with respect to the model of prescribing (i.e. supplementary or independent or both) and years of registration as pharmacists ( P  = 0.284). However, consultant pharmacists were less supportive of the need for additional training ( P  = 0.013). Pharmacists’ years of registration and professional practice influenced their training topic preferences. Supporters of an independent prescribing model only demonstrated a weaker preference for training in key therapeutic topics ( P  = 0.001). Conclusions This study provides information on key areas for consideration when training pharmacists for an expanded prescribing role. Although most pharmacists preferred a supplementary model of prescribing where doctors retain their diagnostic role, their strongest training preferences were for topics that provided pharmacists with further skills in patient diagnosis, assessment and monitoring.