Impact on confidence and practice: How the ADAPT online patient care skills program made a difference for pharmacists

Abstract

Background: The ADAPT "ADapting pharmacists' skills and Approaches to maximize Patients' drug Therapy effectiveness" online education program was developed to enable pharmacists to overcome a lack of confidence in patient care and collaborative skills, enabling successful adoption of expanded scope of pharmacist practice.

Objectives: This study examined responses of ADAPT participants, to determine if acquisition of knowledge, skill, and confidence is retained and translated into adoption of expanded scope of practice and billable services, perceived improvement in quality of patient care, and increased professional satisfaction.

Methods: A sequential exploratory mixed methods approach was used for this study.

Results: Fifty-four surveys were completed and 13 interviews were conducted. Greater than 86% agreed or strongly agreed that their confidence in their ability to perform ADAPT skills had improved. Billing for services varied based on province. Four themes emerged through the interview process: confidence, change, impact and barriers/facilitators.

Conclusions: Respondents described confidence in their ability to use ADAPT skills to make changes in personal practice activities, and this appeared to lead to taking on new roles that provided both professional satisfaction and improved patient care and professional relations. However, some barriers remained in providing or billing for certain practice activities.

Keywords: Confidence; Continuous professional development; Online learning; Pharmacist; Pharmacy education.