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Sacre H, Saab M, Haddad C, Haddad M, Zeenny RM, Akel M, Hajj A, Iskandar K, Salameh P. The specialized competency framework for industry pharmacists (SCF-IP): validation and pilot assessment. J Pharm Policy Pract 2023; 16:96. [PMID: 37525247 PMCID: PMC10392006 DOI: 10.1186/s40545-023-00602-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to validate a specialized competency framework for industry pharmacists and assess correlates related to the competency domains in a pilot sample. METHODS A team of experts assessed the old framework and improved its content validity after a thorough literature review, using the Delphi technique. Domains and their respective competencies and behaviors were re-defined in the framework. Afterward, a web-based cross-sectional study was carried out between March and October 2022, enrolling a convenient sample of ten industry pharmacists who worked in Lebanese pharmaceutical plants. Participants were contacted through the Syndicate of the Pharmaceutical Industries in Lebanon. RESULTS The specialized competency framework for Lebanese industry pharmacists comprised seven domains. Behavioral items had appropriate loading on their respective factors, which could involve one, two or three competencies. Cronbach alpha values for all domains were close to one, showing appropriate reliability. Each domain was correlated with at least another one, except for domains related to pharmaceutical and industrial development and emergency preparedness, which were not correlated with other domains. The lowest confidence was found in the research and development domain, particularly among participants with only a PharmD. CONCLUSIONS This study validated the specialized competency framework for Lebanese industry pharmacists. Some domains, specifically those related to industrial development and emergency preparedness, were found to diverge from others. Therefore, it would be recommended to include additional education in the emergency preparedness, research and development fields and to integrate industry-specific skills, courses, and training programs into academic curricula. Furthermore, specialized postgraduate degrees may be necessary to produce practice-ready pharmacists to operate effectively in this vital setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hala Sacre
- INSPECT-LB (Institut National de Santé Publique, d'Épidémiologie Clinique et de Toxicologie-Liban), Beirut, Lebanon
- Drug Information Center, Order of Pharmacists of Lebanon, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - May Saab
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Chadia Haddad
- INSPECT-LB (Institut National de Santé Publique, d'Épidémiologie Clinique et de Toxicologie-Liban), Beirut, Lebanon.
- Research Department, Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross, P.O. Box 60096, Jal Eddib, Lebanon.
- School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon.
- School of Health Sciences, Modern University for Business and Science, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Mansour Haddad
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Yarmouk University, Irbid, 21163, Jordan
| | - Rony M Zeenny
- INSPECT-LB (Institut National de Santé Publique, d'Épidémiologie Clinique et de Toxicologie-Liban), Beirut, Lebanon
- Department of Pharmacy, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Marwan Akel
- INSPECT-LB (Institut National de Santé Publique, d'Épidémiologie Clinique et de Toxicologie-Liban), Beirut, Lebanon
- School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon
- School of Education, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Aline Hajj
- INSPECT-LB (Institut National de Santé Publique, d'Épidémiologie Clinique et de Toxicologie-Liban), Beirut, Lebanon
- Laboratoire de Pharmacologie, Pharmacie Clinique et Contrôle de Qualité Des Médicaments (LPCQM), Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Oncology Division, CHU de Québec Université Laval Research Center, Québec, Canada
| | - Katia Iskandar
- INSPECT-LB (Institut National de Santé Publique, d'Épidémiologie Clinique et de Toxicologie-Liban), Beirut, Lebanon
- School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadat, Lebanon
| | - Pascale Salameh
- INSPECT-LB (Institut National de Santé Publique, d'Épidémiologie Clinique et de Toxicologie-Liban), Beirut, Lebanon
- School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadat, Lebanon
- Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University of Nicosia Medical School, 2417, Nicosia, Cyprus
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Hajj A, Zeenny RM, Sacre H, Akel M, Haddad C, Salameh P. Pharmacy education and workforce: strategic recommendations based on expert consensus in Lebanon. J Pharm Policy Pract 2023; 16:1. [PMID: 36593528 PMCID: PMC9807099 DOI: 10.1186/s40545-022-00510-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Pharmacy in Lebanon has been taught for years, and the profession has known the golden ages in previous years. However, with the recent graduation of hundreds of pharmacists, without prior workforce planning, the oversupply of non-specialized pharmacists caused a mismatch with the needs of the market. The context of severe socioeconomic and sanitary crises has further exacerbated the situation, with hundreds of pharmacists leaving the country. A group of pharmacy experts joined to suggest strategic solutions to face such challenges, suggesting a clear strategy for education and the workforce, overarched by educational and professional values and based on six main pillars: (1) implement a national competency framework (including the core and specialized competency frameworks) to be used as a basis for licensure (colloquium); (2) implement a national pharmacy program accreditation, encompassing standards related to competencies adoption and assessment, curricula, teaching methods, research and innovation, instructors' and preceptors' skills, and experiential training; (3) organize training for students and early-career pharmacists; (4) optimize continuing education and implement continuous professional development, fostering innovation and specialization among working pharmacists; (5) develop and implement a pharmacy workforce strategy based on pharmacy intelligence, job market, and academic capacities; (6) develop and implement a legal framework for the above-mentioned pillars in collaboration with ministries and parliamentary commissions. Under the auspices of the relevant authorities, mainly the Order of Pharmacists of Lebanon and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the suggested strategy should be discussed and implemented for a better future for the pharmacy profession.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Hajj
- INSPECT-LB (Institut National de Santé Publique, d’Épidémiologie Clinique Et de Toxicologie-Liban), Beirut, Lebanon ,grid.42271.320000 0001 2149 479XLaboratoire de Pharmacologie, Pharmacie Clinique et Contrôle de Qualité Des Médicament, Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon ,grid.23856.3a0000 0004 1936 8390Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Laval, Québec, Canada ,grid.411081.d0000 0000 9471 1794Oncology Division, CHU de Québec Université Laval Research Center, Québec, Canada
| | - Rony M. Zeenny
- INSPECT-LB (Institut National de Santé Publique, d’Épidémiologie Clinique Et de Toxicologie-Liban), Beirut, Lebanon ,grid.411654.30000 0004 0581 3406Department of Pharmacy, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hala Sacre
- INSPECT-LB (Institut National de Santé Publique, d’Épidémiologie Clinique Et de Toxicologie-Liban), Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Marwan Akel
- INSPECT-LB (Institut National de Santé Publique, d’Épidémiologie Clinique Et de Toxicologie-Liban), Beirut, Lebanon ,grid.444421.30000 0004 0417 6142School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Chadia Haddad
- INSPECT-LB (Institut National de Santé Publique, d’Épidémiologie Clinique Et de Toxicologie-Liban), Beirut, Lebanon ,grid.512933.f0000 0004 0451 7867Research Department, Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross, Jal Eddib, Lebanon ,grid.444428.a0000 0004 0508 3124School of Health Sciences, Modern University for Business and Science, Beirut, Lebanon ,grid.411323.60000 0001 2324 5973School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - Pascale Salameh
- INSPECT-LB (Institut National de Santé Publique, d’Épidémiologie Clinique Et de Toxicologie-Liban), Beirut, Lebanon ,grid.411323.60000 0001 2324 5973School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon ,grid.411324.10000 0001 2324 3572Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon ,grid.413056.50000 0004 0383 4764Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University of Nicosia Medical School, 2417 Nicosia, Cyprus
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Akel M, Hajj A, Sacre H, Zeenny RM, Haddad C, Salameh P. Developing a national pharmaceutical research strategy in Lebanon: opportunities to bridge the gaps and reach the goals. J Pharm Policy Pract 2022; 15:83. [DOI: 10.1186/s40545-022-00485-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractPharmaceutical research can be structured into clear national strategies that optimize patient health and foster innovation. The objectives of this document are to assess the need for a national pharmaceutical research strategy based on the current situation in Lebanon, to identify the strengths and weaknesses of pharmaceutical research in Lebanon, and to suggest a pharmaceutical research strategy for Lebanon, including goals and objectives. In Lebanon, in the absence of a national health research policy, pharmaceutical research is conducted in academia or hospitals, although projects are the result of personal or team initiatives that should be organized to better serve the needs of the country. Many strengths of pharmaceutical research were identified, such as the pharmaceutical workforce and academics who are willing to contribute to research, while the implementation of the national pharmaceutical strategy represents an important opportunity to promote research. Among the weaknesses is the lack of research culture in some institutions and interinstitutional/interprofessional collaborations. Thus, the suggested strategy aims to structure pharmaceutical research in Lebanon, including the priorities towards which research is directed, the process by which research is conducted, and the workforce conducting research. It will mainly rely on the World Health Organization's interrelated goals (organization, priorities, capacity, standards, and translation). The implementation of the suggested pharmaceutical research strategy will only be achieved through the leadership of the pharmaceutical authorities and the collaboration of stakeholders.
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Competency-Based Assessment in Experiential Learning in Undergraduate Pharmacy Programmes: Qualitative Exploration of Facilitators' Views and Needs (ACTp Study). PHARMACY 2022; 10:pharmacy10040090. [PMID: 35893728 PMCID: PMC9332294 DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy10040090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Newly registered pharmacists will need to possess higher-level competencies and, in Great Britain, there is an expectation that assessments are undertaken during experiential learning (EL). The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions and educational needs of practice-based EL facilitators of student pharmacists, undertaking competency-based assessments during EL. Semi-structured one-on-one interviews were conducted with EL facilitators working in the community, hospital, and primary-care pharmacies. Data were thematically analysed. Fifteen facilitators were interviewed, and there were five from each site. There was general support for this role, but also anxiety due to the lack of knowledge about assessments and the repercussions on students. Benefits were that students would receive real-time feedback from workplace-based practitioners and facilitators would benefit from self-development. Challenges included additional workload and lack of consistency in marking. The majority agreed that clinical, professional, and communication skills could be assessed; however, a consensus was not reached regarding the tools, methods, and grading of assessments. The need for training and support were highlighted. A co-design method was proposed to ensure that the assessment methods and processes are accepted by all stakeholders. Training and resources should be tailored to the needs of facilitators.
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