O9 Are parents and patients happy to see an advanced paediatric pharmacist practitioner (APPP)?
Authors: Lilley Andrew 
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Pharmacist independent prescribers have become common in both community and hospital environments. However most prescribing courses contain limited clinical skills and diagnosis training.1 2 NHS England conducted a study to assess the benefit of having pharmacists in the Emergency department (ED). They found that in order to have the biggest impact pharmacists would need additional training above that of an independent prescriber particularly clinical examination and diagnosis skills.3 One pharmacist from the audit hospital completed the post graduate certificate in Advanced Emergency Medicine at Manchester University. The assessments taught included Respiratory, Gastroenterology, Musculoskeletal, Neurological and ENT examinations.

Additionally, it required 210 hours of in practice training. On completion of the course the local centre had no resources to appoint an APPP in ED. Instead the APPP took up the role within the respiratory team due to experience within this speciality. An APPP now reviews new and follow up patients in clinic as well as those acutely ill. As this was a new role it was decided to perform an audit of parent perception of the role.

Methods

Questions were integrated into every consultation for a two month period. Pre clinic: Are you happy to see the pharmacist today instead of the consultant? (Yes/No/Will wait to see outcome) Post clinic: Did you think a pharmacist could perform this role? (Yes/No). Do you feel like you need to see the consultant still? (Yes/No) Were you happy with the consultation? (Yes/No) Further comments

Results

132 separate consultations were included. 45 of these were new referrals, 67 were follow up appointments and 20 acute examinations. In 124 consultations parents stated they would decide if they needed to see the consultant after. Of these all were happy with the outcome post consultation and did not see the consultant. 9 parents had no reservations to the pharmacist running the consultation from the outset and remained happy post consultation. 126 stated they did not realise a pharmacist could perform this role. Comments received included ‘I had no idea a pharmacist could perform clinical examinations’; ‘At first I had reservations however if the hospital felt comfortable with you running clinic I am happy’; ‘You took the time to make us feel at ease’; ‘You are always approachable when my child is acutely unwell…you know our child better than any ED doctor and would rather see you’.

Conclusion

As with Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs) it will take time for parents and patients to adapt to a pharmacist diagnosing and managing them instead of a doctor. This audit has shown the pre-conceptions of what a pharmacist can do could hold some back; however after seeing the pharmacist all were happy with the consultation. This is an exciting new role for pharmacists however it is essential to undertake advanced clinical and diagnosis skills in order to make it a successful.

References

http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/health/cpd-modules/non-medical-prescribing-v300-2 (accessed June 2018)

https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/cpd/other-cpd-courses/non-medical-prescribing (accessed June 2018)

Pharmacists in Emergency Departments - A commissioned study by health education England. available via: https://www.rpharms.com/Portals/0/RPS%20document%20library/Open%20access/Policy%20statements/PIED%20National%20Report.pdf?ver=2016-10-13-150131-640