[NOTE: Call for submissions now closed]

About the IIOP

The Irish Institute of Pharmacy (IIOP) manages the continuing professional development (CPD) system for pharmacists in Ireland. The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) has contracted the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) as the management body for the IIOP. 

About Practice Review

The CPD Rules [1] require that a sample of the patient-facing pharmacists on the PSI register be selected annually for Practice Review. The legislation stipulates that this review will encompass a “direct evaluation … of the knowledge, skills and judgement of the pharmacist, against a standard established in consultation with peer pharmacists practising in patient-facing roles, having  regard to the Core Competency Framework for Pharmacists, with particular reference to those competencies dealing with patient care, including clinical knowledge, the ability to gather and interpret appropriately information from and about patients, patient management and education and communication (including counselling) skills.”

The IIOP is responsible for the management of the Practice Review process.  This "direct evaluation" is achieved through standardised patient interactions (observation and evaluation of candidate pharmacist interactions with actors in clinical scenarios) and an open-book MCQ (multiple-choice question) review. Practice Review ensures that pharmacists in patient-facing roles can demonstrate a level of competence as deemed appropriate by a peer group of pharmacists.  It focuses on competencies from the PSI’s Core Competency Framework. Specialist competencies are not included. The process is supportive and educational in nature, not punitive.

A Peer-Led Approach

The IIOP is committed to ensuring that this is a peer-led process and is delighted by the enthusiastic engagement of the profession in all of our activities to date. 

Getting Involved

Who Should get involved?

Pharmacists interested in getting involved should have at least three years post registration experience in a patient-facing role and be of good professional standing. The IIOP would also like to include pharmacists of mixed age and gender. No expertise in CPD, standard setting or education is required. However, previous experience in a similar role should be indicated when expressing interest. The IIOP will provide members of all groups with appropriate training and support.

Why you should get involved

Pharmacists who have been involved in practice review to-date have reported a range of benefits to being involved.

- You will work with colleagues from across the profession, which expands your network and informs you about practice in different settings
- You will learn new skills, which is interesting and contributes to your own continuing professional development
- You will be involved in setting the standard for Practice Review, which ensures that the standards that are set are peer-led
- You will contribute to your profession, which is professionally rewarding
- As a result of the interactions, pharmacists report that they become much more aware of their own practice, which helps with reflection

Quotes from pharmacists would have been involved with the process to date;

“Many thanks I really enjoyed the day and it was a great way to meet pharmacists that you might not regularly meet.”

“I was genuinely delighted to have been a part of this process, found it challenging at times yet hugely rewarding. I would be extremely interested in being involved in similar work with the Institute again after this experience”

“I really felt that I learned a lot myself and despite it being quite hard work it was thoroughly enjoyable”

“After the event I felt I missed an opportunity to get involved earlier on, but am looking forward to an opportunity in the future.”

“It was extremely enjoyable and informative and I feel confident with the whole process”

“Found the whole experience very useful”

“really interesting,glad to take part & represent my colleagues.”

What is involved?

A. Case Writing Group

What does this role involve?

Members of the Case Writing Group develop cases and multiple-choice questions, based on their practice experience. This includes cases for both the MCQ and standardised pharmacy interactions. Cases are developed with regard to the competencies dealing with patient care and clinical areas identified by the Standards Development Blueprint. Cases reflect practice scenarios ordinarily encountered by patient-facing pharmacists. 

B. Case Review Group       

What does this role involve?

Members of the Case Review Group will review and role play the cases developed by the Case Writing Group. This will include review for accuracy of case information, feasibility, relevance to practice and ease of evaluation. 

C. Practice Reviewer Group          

What does this role involve?

Members of the Practice Reviewer Group will observe and evaluate participant interactions with standardised patients (actors) in clinical scenarios. 

PLEASE NOTE: All training days and workshops will take place in RCSI, Dublin. The case writing and review groups will involve a two day workshop. These workshops will be held on weekdays. The Practice Reviewer group will have a training day, and will be involved in a Practice Review event held in RCSI over a weekend in October/April.

In recognition of your work an honorarium will be payable to you.

How do I get involved?

The IIOP relies on the input of pharmacists to help shape the development of the new CPD system. Pharmacists who would like to be involved in this project should express interest by completing the online form accessed below by 14/06/2018. Following a review of applications, pharmacists will be allocated to one or more of the groups. Inclusion in the groups is based on the requirement to ensure a mix of pharmacists e.g. practice areas etc.[2] If the number of applications exceeds the available spaces, a reserve panel will be created.

[NOTE: Call for submissions now closed]