Clinical pharmacy placements for undergraduate pharmacists

Since 2016, CUREMeDE have led on the evaluation of multiple cohorts of multisector training for Foundation pharmacists (previously pre-registration pharmacists). This evaluation has included longitudinal follow-up of these individuals from trainee to one-year post-registration. The evaluation involved collating the views of trainees, supervisors, education and training leads and current line managers.

Findings revealed multiple key benefits of the multisector programme but highlighted the drawback of the reduction of time spent in any one sector compared to single-sector models. Such a finding favours the introduction of clinical placements earlier in training so that trainees are familiar with the settings sooner and their Foundation year can be used more effectively.

Heath Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) are working in partnership with the Welsh Schools of Pharmacy (Cardiff and Swansea Universities) to increase the availability of experiential learning and clinical placements within the four-year MPharm degree the precedes the Foundation year. Students will undertake placements across different sectors of pharmacy: community, hospital, and general practice.

The introduction of clinical placements within the MPharm degree will provide MPharm students with experiences they previously wouldn’t have been exposed to until their Foundation year (after completion of the four-year MPharm degree). These placements are being introduced to pharmacy students in two phases. For the academic year 2022/23, only 3rd and 4th year students at Cardiff University will be undertaking these placements. In 2023/24, placements will be extended to all students in years 1 to 4 at Cardiff University and also at Swansea University.

This study will evaluate the implementation of clinical placements within the MPharm degree and explore the proof of concept of implementing Entrustrable Professional Activities (EPAs) in this earlier stage of pharmacists’ education and training. This study will explore the perspectives and experiences of students, as well as other relevant stakeholders including the placement host sites, university staff, placement leads, and HEIW leads.