Work

Facilitators and barriers to expanding scope of practice for pharmacist independent prescribers in North Wales: a qualitative study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To explore factors that either enable or hinder pharmacist independent prescribers (PIPs) when they expand the scope of their prescribing practice. METHODS: Following ethical approval, PIPs who had expanded their scope of practice since qualifying, who worked within one Health Board in North Wales, self-declared minimum 2 years' experience and prescribed once a month or more were recruited via gatekeepers to a semi-structured interview study. Thematic analysis was utilized after de-identification of verbatim transcripts. KEY FINDINGS: Both intrinsic and extrinsic themes were identified. Confidence and attitude were intrinsic themes that acted as facilitators. Extrinsic themes included support, governance, service, and workplace. Support was a key facilitator encompassing mentors, time, funding, management, peers, structured programs, space for reflective practice and accessible colleague advice. Lack of each of these support factors was perceived as a barrier. Governance frameworks were deemed enabling by some and restrictive by other participants. Service factors (for example new roles, or skill mix change within teams) and workplace factors (including multidisciplinary working and role models) both enabled scope expansion. Not working in a multidisciplinary team setting was seen as a barrier. CONCLUSIONS: Previous studies on implementation in independent prescribing (IP) identified similar themes, suggesting scope expansion for PIPs is enabled by the same factors that support development of IP in general. Further research with different contexts or methodology is required to validate these results and inform future guidance on this topic.

Source: International Journal of Pharmacy Practice

DOI: 10.1093/ijpp/riaf117

Authors: Rachel Louise Kloss Davies, Rhian Deslandes, Rowan Yemm

Institutions: Cardiff University, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

Language: English

Topic: Pharmacy and Medical Practices

Subfield: Pharmacology

Field: Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,070