Study launched into professionalism in pharmacy
Press release: 19 October 2009
University of Manchester researchers have been awarded a grant by the Pharmacy Practice Research Trust to investigate patient-centred professionalism among newly registered pharmacists.
Dr Ellen Schafheutle and research fellow Sarah Willis, in the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, have been given the £30,000 grant as part of the Trust’s Professionalism in Pharmacy Practice research programme.
The aim of the study is to understand and clarify how professionalism develops in pharmacists’ early careers – their first two years – and to consider the implications of this development for the delivery of quality patient-centred care.
In particular, the research team will explore early career pharmacists’ perceptions about professionalism, its relation to patient-centred care and its development in pharmacy training and practice. The views of support staff and tutors involved in preregistration training will also be sought.
Dr Schafheutle said: “We have already gained some insight into how professionalism is learnt among undergraduate pharmacy students, and work experience seemed to play an important role.
“However, little is known about the influence of the workplace and early years of practice on recently registered pharmacists’ professionalism. The research grant will enable us to explore this with those who are key players in this early period of practice and professionalism.”
Beth Allen, Acting Director of the Trust added: “This study will build on the foundations of a number of Trust-funded projects, including the five year longitudinal study of 2006 pharmacy graduates and two ongoing studies into professionalism in pharmacy.
“It proposes to explore pharmacists’ understanding of the concept of professionalism with patient-centredness at its core. This understanding will be crucial in informing how pharmacy professionalism translates into patient and public benefit, both now and in the future.“
The study is expected to last nine months.
Ends
Notes to editors
The Pharmacy Practice Research Trust was established by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain in July 1999 as an independent research charity with a broad objective to promote and develop the field of pharmacy practice research. Its trustees are drawn from senior health policy makers, leading academics, industry and retailers.
The Trust has invested about £2m in research: 30% supporting capacity building in pharmacy practice research and 70% on commissioned research. The Trust receives financial support from the Pharmaceutical Trust for Education and Charitable Objectives, the Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust and the Galen Trust, as well as a gift in kind from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.
- For further information, to access reports of Trust commissioned research or for funding/grant opportunities, please see the Pharmacy Practice Research Trust website
Further information:
Aeron Haworth
Media Relations
Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences
The University of Manchester
Tel: +44 (0) 161 275 8383
Email: aeron.haworth@manchester.ac.uk
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