Key result
Primary care pharmacists report substantial cardiology training gaps, peaking at ~81% for ECGs and sacubitril/valsartan.
Why the study?
The evolving role of general practice clinical pharmacists towards patient-facing cardiology care has created a need to assess their cardiology training requirements.
Cross-Sectional (n=73)
General practice clinical pharmacists report significant unmet training needs in cardiology, particularly regarding acute coronary syndrome, specific heart failure medications, and diagnostic test interpretation.
Signals need for cardiology training programs in general practice; leaves open effects on patient outcomes.
OBJECTIVES: As the role of the general practice clinical pharmacist (GPCP) evolves, there has been a shift towards patient-facing roles across multiple conditions. This study aimed to measure the self-reported cardiology training needs of GPCPs. METHODS: An online survey was developed. Participants were shown a list of statements on cardiac conditions and medication across seven sub-domains. Participants self-reported their knowledge against each statement using a Likert Scale. Participants were considered to require training in that topic where they had 'disagreed', 'strongly disagreed' or expressed a 'neutral' rating in ≥3/7 areas. Participants were shown a list of single statements around cardiology test result knowledge and clinical assessment skills. Respondents who 'disagreed', 'strongly disagreed' or declared a 'neutral' position with the statement were judged to need training in that topic. KEY FINDINGS: Seventy-three out of 135 (54%) GPCPs responded. Acute coronary syndrome had the highest training requirement (38/73, 52%) within conditions. Fifty-nine out of 73 (81%) required training on sacubitril/valsartan and 57/73 (78%) with ivabradine. Fifty-four out of 73 (74%) and 44/73 (60%) required training on how to interpret natriuretic peptides and troponin, respectively. Fifty-nine out of 73 (81%), 48/73 (66%) and 55/73 (75%) required training on interpreting ECG, echocardiogram and coronary angiography, respectively. Reduced length of experience in general practice (<2 years) was commonly associated with increased training needs. CONCLUSIONS: There are areas of unmet cardiology training needs within GPCPs that require further support. As the GPCP role evolves, discussion is needed with national pharmacy stakeholders to decide how to incorporate this learning into routine training programmes.
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Clarke et al. (2020) conducted a cross-sectional in Cardiology training needs (n=73). Reduced length of experience in general practice (<2 years) was evaluated on Self-reported cardiology training needs. General practice clinical pharmacists reported high unmet cardiology training needs, particularly for acute coronary syndrome (52%), sacubitril/valsartan (81%), and ECG interpretation (81%).
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