A comprehensive education framework for clinical pharmacy services in an Australian women’s hospital

Abstract

Background: A training program aimed at increasing the knowledge and skillsets of obstetric clinical pharmacists to ensure consistency and quality of service delivery is described here. Methods: The pharmacy department developed a training program to increase the knowledge and skillsets of pharmacists, particularly those who have not worked as an intern or completed residency training in a women hospital. The training program was designed based on the services offered, departmental size, resources available, and time allotted for training. Results: Clinical practice guidelines, policy statements, and other sources were used to develop the training materials, consisting of an e-Learning package, followed by face-to-face teaching, demonstration and working under supervision. The self-directed learning module was endorsed by the North Metropolitan Health Services Department of Learning and Development and the trainees who completed the program earned a certificate from the department. From its implementation in August 2023, the department has trained five pharmacists and four intern pharmacists using the new training program. Discussion: The implementation of a training program to educate pharmacists in obstetric clinical services helped to ensure consistency and competency in the service provision of clinical pharmacists, while ensuring the sustainability of training in the department. Our experience in developing and implementing the education model fostered the transition to structured training in obstetric clinical pharmacy.