The barriers and enablers to completing the RPS core advanced pharmacist credentialing programme via the CPPE/RPS pilot programme
Authors: Weatherhead S E , Wright E J 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Introduction
The RPS and CPPE launched a pilot programme in March 2023 to support 300 pharmacists to evidence their advanced practice via an e-portfolio aligned to the RPS Core Advanced curriculum1 in a 12-week period. Successful pharmacists are credentialed as Advanced Pharmacists. The pilot involved CPPE education supervisors (ESs) support, an online learning platform and small group learning and support.

Aim
To ascertain barriers and enablers to completing an advanced e-portfolio and to identify how to improve the on-going programme.

Methods
The invitation to complete the anonymous survey in May 2024 was administered via www.onlinesurveys.ac.uk and developed linking to key performance indicators around education supervision support, to understand why candidates were deferring cohorts and to ascertain additional support accessed by candidates.
Ethical approval was not required as study is service evaluation.
Candidates who responded included those who successfully submitted their e-portfolio ‘submitted candidates’ n=10, candidates who are resubmitting their portfolio after not passing ‘resubmission candidates’ n=8, pharmacists currently completing their portfolio ‘current candidates’ n=44 and those who started but left without submitting ‘attrition candidates’ n=13.

Results
All submitted candidates scored ES support as very good/excellent; 60% agreed strongly they would not have submitted their portfolio without this support.
Each cohort had two small-group tutorials where candidates accessed peer support and joined WhatsApp groups. Only 38% of resubmission candidates, compared to 80% of portfolio submitted candidates attended both group tutorials. Resubmission candidates were less likely to access additional peer support (38% for resubmission candidates vs 60% for submitted candidates) or to join the cohort WhatsApp group (75% for resubmission candidates vs 90% for submitted candidates). Resubmission candidates rated the remedial SMART action planning support highly.
Submitted candidates would have found it easier to complete their portfolio with more comprehensive (60%) and timely responses (70%) from their collaborators. This compares to 55% and 59% of current candidates recognising the same issues. Submitted candidates wanted more allocated time during working hours to support completion of the portfolio (60% rising to 80% for current candidates).
There is a notable increase for current candidates wanting a longer period to complete their portfolio (75% compared to 40% of submitted candidates).
Half of submitted candidates (50%) reported spending more than 5 hours (average) each week on their portfolio compared to 18% of current candidates.
Top reasons for attrition include too busy with work, family responsibilities, personal health challenges and no support from the workplace.
Candidates across all groups suggested programme improvement ideas including more evidence examples, making the RPS platform less difficult to navigate and use, and more education supervisor support.
Motivating factors for completion include recognition of advanced level working and preparation for the consultant portfolio.

Conclusion
Enablers include education supervision, CPPE resources/facilitated support events, peer support, WhatsApp groups, recognition and career progression.
Key barriers include needing more time and lack of dedicated time at work to complete e-portfolio, lack of timely and comprehensive support from collaborators and finding the RPS e-portfolio platform difficult to navigate.
Limitations – low numbers and response rate. Data collection is on-going.

Reference
1. Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Core Advanced Pharmacist Curriculum, 2022 https://www.rpharms.com/Portals/0/Credentialing/RPS%20-%20Core%20Advanced%20curriculumFINAL.pdf?ver=8gc3s2aE9t1nZN37CSU7Lw%3d%3d (Accessed 28 May 2024)