Saraid Martin1, Dr Helen Banwell1, Dr Kristin Graham1, Dr Jacinta Johnson1
1University Of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
Biography:
Dr Jacinta Johnson, FANZCAP (Edu. Research), currently works across roles as a Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice at the University of South Australia and as Senior Pharmacist for Research within the SA Pharmacy, the South Australian statewide public hospital pharmacy service. Her research interests include medication safety, pharmacy practice, health practitioner development, and interprofessional learning and practice.
Abstract:
Introduction:
Prescribing podiatrists require mandatory continuing professional development (CPD) specific to their prescribing practice, however, CPD resources often do not meet prescribing podiatrists’ needs. As interprofessional collaboration is known to improve patient and organisational outcomes, interprofessional learning between podiatrists and pharmacists could address CPD needs and improve practice.
This study aimed to explore role understanding, perceptions of, and potential for, interprofessional learning between prescribing podiatrists and pharmacists.
Methods:
Australian prescribing podiatrists and pharmacists participated in four homogenous online focus groups. Participants were asked about their perspectives, experiences and knowledge relating to discipline roles and interprofessional learning between the professional groups. Discussions were transcribed and underwent reflexive inductive thematic analysis.
Results:
Fifteen podiatrists and 15 pharmacists participated. Four themes were evident in the data: Experience drives understanding of each other; Exposure is influenced by work setting; Reflections on and frustrations with health system issues; The vision for interprofessional learning in the future.
Overall, prescribing podiatrists and pharmacists were positive about the potential benefits and feasibility of interprofessional CPD to support appropriate medicine use and build stronger relationships and collaborative practices. Both groups acknowledged awareness of the prescribing podiatrist role and training was lacking and contributed to common frustrations with system issues. Pharmacists advocated for interprofessional learning with podiatrists at undergraduate level. Suggestions for learning modes, facilitators and topics were collated.
Conclusion:
When developing undergraduate courses, CPD and advanced training programs, podiatry and pharmacy education providers should consider benefits of interprofessional learning and desire of the two professional groups to learn together.