Competency-Based Assessment in Experiential Learning in Undergraduate Pharmacy Programmes: Qualitative Exploration of Facilitators’ Views and Needs (ACTp Study)

Newly registered pharmacists will need to possess higher-level competencies and, in Great Britain, there is an expectation that assessments are undertaken during experiential learning (EL). The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions and educational needs of practice-based EL facilitators o...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Sabrina Anne Jacob, Ailsa Power, Jane Portlock, Tesnime Jebara, Scott Cunningham, Anne C. Boyter
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-07-01
Series:Pharmacy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/10/4/90
_version_ 1797408350194892800
author Sabrina Anne Jacob
Ailsa Power
Jane Portlock
Tesnime Jebara
Scott Cunningham
Anne C. Boyter
author_facet Sabrina Anne Jacob
Ailsa Power
Jane Portlock
Tesnime Jebara
Scott Cunningham
Anne C. Boyter
author_sort Sabrina Anne Jacob
collection DOAJ
description Newly registered pharmacists will need to possess higher-level competencies and, in Great Britain, there is an expectation that assessments are undertaken during experiential learning (EL). The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions and educational needs of practice-based EL facilitators of student pharmacists, undertaking competency-based assessments during EL. Semi-structured one-on-one interviews were conducted with EL facilitators working in the community, hospital, and primary-care pharmacies. Data were thematically analysed. Fifteen facilitators were interviewed, and there were five from each site. There was general support for this role, but also anxiety due to the lack of knowledge about assessments and the repercussions on students. Benefits were that students would receive real-time feedback from workplace-based practitioners and facilitators would benefit from self-development. Challenges included additional workload and lack of consistency in marking. The majority agreed that clinical, professional, and communication skills could be assessed; however, a consensus was not reached regarding the tools, methods, and grading of assessments. The need for training and support were highlighted. A co-design method was proposed to ensure that the assessment methods and processes are accepted by all stakeholders. Training and resources should be tailored to the needs of facilitators.
first_indexed 2024-03-09T03:57:11Z
format Article
id doaj.art-0e473ee6f13a437eb104c39a32a2872a
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2226-4787
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-09T03:57:11Z
publishDate 2022-07-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Pharmacy
spelling doaj.art-0e473ee6f13a437eb104c39a32a2872a2023-12-03T14:18:24ZengMDPI AGPharmacy2226-47872022-07-011049010.3390/pharmacy10040090Competency-Based Assessment in Experiential Learning in Undergraduate Pharmacy Programmes: Qualitative Exploration of Facilitators’ Views and Needs (ACTp Study)Sabrina Anne Jacob0Ailsa Power1Jane Portlock2Tesnime Jebara3Scott Cunningham4Anne C. Boyter5Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Glasgow G4 0RE, UKNHS Education for Scotland, Glasgow G3 8BW, UKSchool of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG, UKSchool of Pharmacy & Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen AB10 7GJ, UKSchool of Pharmacy & Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen AB10 7GJ, UKStrathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Glasgow G4 0RE, UKNewly registered pharmacists will need to possess higher-level competencies and, in Great Britain, there is an expectation that assessments are undertaken during experiential learning (EL). The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions and educational needs of practice-based EL facilitators of student pharmacists, undertaking competency-based assessments during EL. Semi-structured one-on-one interviews were conducted with EL facilitators working in the community, hospital, and primary-care pharmacies. Data were thematically analysed. Fifteen facilitators were interviewed, and there were five from each site. There was general support for this role, but also anxiety due to the lack of knowledge about assessments and the repercussions on students. Benefits were that students would receive real-time feedback from workplace-based practitioners and facilitators would benefit from self-development. Challenges included additional workload and lack of consistency in marking. The majority agreed that clinical, professional, and communication skills could be assessed; however, a consensus was not reached regarding the tools, methods, and grading of assessments. The need for training and support were highlighted. A co-design method was proposed to ensure that the assessment methods and processes are accepted by all stakeholders. Training and resources should be tailored to the needs of facilitators.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/10/4/90experiential learningpharmacyfacilitatorsstudent pharmacistcompetency-based assessment
spellingShingle Sabrina Anne Jacob
Ailsa Power
Jane Portlock
Tesnime Jebara
Scott Cunningham
Anne C. Boyter
Competency-Based Assessment in Experiential Learning in Undergraduate Pharmacy Programmes: Qualitative Exploration of Facilitators’ Views and Needs (ACTp Study)
Pharmacy
experiential learning
pharmacy
facilitators
student pharmacist
competency-based assessment
title Competency-Based Assessment in Experiential Learning in Undergraduate Pharmacy Programmes: Qualitative Exploration of Facilitators’ Views and Needs (ACTp Study)
title_full Competency-Based Assessment in Experiential Learning in Undergraduate Pharmacy Programmes: Qualitative Exploration of Facilitators’ Views and Needs (ACTp Study)
title_fullStr Competency-Based Assessment in Experiential Learning in Undergraduate Pharmacy Programmes: Qualitative Exploration of Facilitators’ Views and Needs (ACTp Study)
title_full_unstemmed Competency-Based Assessment in Experiential Learning in Undergraduate Pharmacy Programmes: Qualitative Exploration of Facilitators’ Views and Needs (ACTp Study)
title_short Competency-Based Assessment in Experiential Learning in Undergraduate Pharmacy Programmes: Qualitative Exploration of Facilitators’ Views and Needs (ACTp Study)
title_sort competency based assessment in experiential learning in undergraduate pharmacy programmes qualitative exploration of facilitators views and needs actp study
topic experiential learning
pharmacy
facilitators
student pharmacist
competency-based assessment
url https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/10/4/90
work_keys_str_mv AT sabrinaannejacob competencybasedassessmentinexperientiallearninginundergraduatepharmacyprogrammesqualitativeexplorationoffacilitatorsviewsandneedsactpstudy
AT ailsapower competencybasedassessmentinexperientiallearninginundergraduatepharmacyprogrammesqualitativeexplorationoffacilitatorsviewsandneedsactpstudy
AT janeportlock competencybasedassessmentinexperientiallearninginundergraduatepharmacyprogrammesqualitativeexplorationoffacilitatorsviewsandneedsactpstudy
AT tesnimejebara competencybasedassessmentinexperientiallearninginundergraduatepharmacyprogrammesqualitativeexplorationoffacilitatorsviewsandneedsactpstudy
AT scottcunningham competencybasedassessmentinexperientiallearninginundergraduatepharmacyprogrammesqualitativeexplorationoffacilitatorsviewsandneedsactpstudy
AT annecboyter competencybasedassessmentinexperientiallearninginundergraduatepharmacyprogrammesqualitativeexplorationoffacilitatorsviewsandneedsactpstudy