Exploring a potential model for pharmacist credentialling in Canada

Background: In Canada, various professional training pathways exist for pharmacists, but there is a lack of clarity regarding how to best demonstrate an advanced or specialized pharmacy practice outside of these established designations. Credentialling offers formal acknowledgement of pharmacists’ advanced knowledge, skills, or competencies, but no Canadian credentialling program currently exists. Objective: To describe perspectives on possible Canadian credentialling models for advanced and/or specialized pharmacy practice. Methods: This cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted from May 7 to July 12, 2024 using Qualtrics. Licensed pharmacists in Canada with roles that include ≥50% direct patient care or pharmacy leaders in Canada with formal management roles overseeing pharmacists were included. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Results: A total of 232 pharmacists and 54 pharmacy leaders consented to participate in the survey, with 98 (42%) pharmacists and 27 (50%) pharmacy leaders completing it in full. Fifty-five percent of pharmacists and 48% of pharmacy leaders agreed that advanced pharmacy practice credentialling should be established in Canada. Specialized pharmacy practice credentialling was supported by 72% of pharmacists and 71% of pharmacy leaders. A combined format of written examination and portfolio-based credentialling was preferred by 49% of pharmacists and 67% of pharmacy leaders. The top 3 barriers to pharmacists obtaining and maintaining credentials were workload, costs, and the lack of employer recognition. Conclusion: There is interest in developing a Canadian pharmacy credentialling model, with preference for a combined written examination and portfolio-based assessment. This approach, particularly for specialized areas of pharmacy practice, warrants further exploration. However, addressing key barriers will be crucial for successful adoption.