The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) and the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) have jointly-commissioned the University of Aberdeen to undertake a pilot study using anonymous 'simulated patients' who give immediate feedback to help community pharmacists and their staff provide safe and appropriate advice when supplying over-the-counter medicines.
Aberdeen was chosen from nine tender bids and the work will be undertaken by Dr Margaret Watson, Research Fellow at the University of Aberdeen with support and input from Dr Jennifer Cleland, Clinical Lecturer at University of Aberdeen and Professor Christine Bond, Professor of Primary Care Pharmacy at University of Aberdeen.
David Pruce, the Society's Director of Practice and Quality said: "We chose the University of Aberdeen researchers based on their previous experience of conducting similar simulated patient studies in the past
and the clear, robust methodology they have in place to undertake this study.
"We are confident that they are the right group to undertake this significant piece of work."
Sandeep Nijjer, Pharmacist Teacher Practitioner at the NPA said: "The pilot study will evaluate the use of the simulated patient method as a potential mechanism for gathering sufficient information to enable quality feedback to pharmacists. The main reason for using a 'simulated patient' methodology - which has had successful outcomes in Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland and Germany - is to help pharmacists to identify their strengths and where they can make improvements when
supplying non-prescription medicines.
"Participating pharmacists will receive immediate confidential feedback on their performance and the
overall data collected will be used by the Society and the NPA to make a decision as to whether this is a positive way to support pharmacists in
the future."
The project starts in the Autumn and it is envisaged it will be
completed by the end of the year. In the meantime, a summary of the
progress of the pilot will be presented at BPC 2006 in September.
Ends
For further information please contact the public relations unit of the
Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain on 020 7572 2335/6.