Q Exchange
Elevating Quality Improvement and Research Expertise Among Pharmacy Professionals
- Proposal
- 2024
Meet the team
Also:
- Dr Matthew Jones - Senior Lecturer at the University of Bath
- Sarah Jones - Senior Lecturer at the University of Bath
- Dr Ralph Hammond - SW Developing a Research Skilled Workforce Team; Senior Research Fellow at the University of Plymouth
What is the challenge your project is going to address and how does it connect to the theme of 'How can we improve across system boundaries?
The project confronts the pressing challenge of underutilised quality improvement and research capabilities among pharmacy professionals in the South West of England. Despite the critical role the pharmacy professionals play in healthcare delivery, gaps in these areas limit their ability to drive innovation and efficiency within the system.
By fostering collaboration between the South West Pharmacy Research Network, other healthcare quality improvement organisations and healthcare providers, this initiative aims to bridge these gaps. Feedback from healthcare practitioners highlights a need for greater quality improvement skills and research engagement among pharmacy staff, emphasizing this project’s potential to catalyse positive systemic change. It aligns with the theme by promoting cross-boundary improvement and leveraging partnerships for skill enhancement, directly impacting patient care and operational efficiency.
What does your project aim to achieve?
The project seeks to:
- Equip pharmacy professionals with advanced skills in quality improvement and research methodologies.
- Foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the pharmacy sector.
- Enhance the capacity of pharmacy staff to undertake research projects that address local healthcare needs, thereby contributing to the reduction of health inequalities.
- Establish a sustainable model for ongoing professional development in quality improvement and research.
This initiative aims to result in measurable improvements in healthcare delivery by pharmacy professionals, benefiting patients directly through enhanced service quality and indirectly by addressing health inequalities through targeted research initiatives.
How will the project be delivered?
This project will be delivered through a series of workshops, online training modules, journal club and mentorship programs, developed in collaboration with experts from the South West Pharmacy Research Network and other stakeholders.
A phased approach will ensure adaptability, starting with a pilot phase to refine materials based on participant feedback. Key to the project’s delivery will be the involvement of pharmacy professionals in its design and implementation, ensuring relevance and applicability.
Impact measurement will involve both qualitative and quantitative metrics, including participant feedback, project outputs, and healthcare delivery improvements. Financial and operational risks will be managed through careful planning, stakeholder engagement, and ongoing review processes.
How is your project going to share learning?
Learning from the project will be shared across the Q community and beyond through various channels, including interactive webinars, detailed case studies, and presentations at relevant events (including Health Services Research and Pharmacy Practice and Royal Pharmaceutical Society conferences and the Clinical Pharmacy Congress).
Emphasis will be placed on actionable insights and scalable interventions, with documentation of challenges encountered and strategies for overcoming them. The project will actively engage with the Q community to disseminate findings, encouraging replication and adaptation of successful strategies within different contexts across the UK and Ireland, thus broadening the impact of the project.
How you can contribute
- We invite pharmacists and pharmacy technicians based in the South West to play an active role in co-designing and co-delivering this project. Your insights are invaluable in tailoring our approach to meet the unique needs of the pharmacy teams and in fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within our profession.
- We invite all Q members who have participated in or led projects with similar aims, to share their experiences and lessons learned. Your collaboration is key to building a foundation for lasting impact and advancement in our field.
- We seek expertise from the Q community in research collaboration opportunities that align with local and national health priorities, and measuring and demonstrating impact of QI & research capabilities enhancing initiatives.
- Engagement from community members with experience in these areas would greatly enhance the project's depth and reach, helping to ensure its success and sustainability.
Plan timeline
| 28 Jul 2024 | Initial project team set up and stakeholder engagement |
|---|---|
| 11 Aug 2024 | Programme Design: development of workshops, online modules and mentorship |
| 15 Sep 2024 | Pilot Phase Preparation: Finalise pilot phase materials, recruit initial participants |
| 10 Oct 2024 | Innovation Day delivery: promoting the programme and QI/research poster competition |
| 13 Oct 2024 | Pilot Launch: Workshops and online training, monitor engagement and feedback |
| 24 Nov 2024 | Mid-Term Review: Assess initial feedback/outcomes, adjust content and delivery methods |
| 5 Jan 2025 | Expansion of Training Programs to include more pharmacy professionals, |
| 16 Mar 2025 | Ongoing training delivery, journal club meetings and QI/research mentor support |
| 20 Apr 2025 | Impact Assessment Preparation |
| 25 May 2025 | Final Evaluation and Future Planning for Sustainability |
| 15 Jun 2025 | Sharing Insights and Learning through webinars, case studies, and presentations |
Comments
Sarah Jones 19 Mar 2024
It's been evident how much enthusiasm there is amongst pharmacy professionals to take steps into research, and how much it can benefit patients and colleagues. This project would really help to bridge some of the gaps which can make it challenging for pharmacy staff to realise their ambitions.
David Evans 19 Mar 2024
Pharmacists play an increasingly important role in the front line delivery of health and care and more specific training to enhance their skills, including QI and maybe innovation/creative thinking skills, can only serve to support the delivery of better and safer care to people across our communities. Additionally, I hope it will help pharmacists to feel more valued in their role and support retention efforts. Fingers and toes crossed this project gets funded!
Ola Howell 19 Mar 2024
Thank you so much for your thoughtful contribution!
I wholeheartedly agree that pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are crucial to the frontline delivery of health and care. Enhancing our skills through specific training, including in QI and innovation is vital for delivering better and safer care across the communities. Your point about how such initiatives can also make the pharmacy teams feel more valued and support retention efforts is particularly important. It underscores the multifaceted benefits of this project, not just for healthcare delivery but for the dedicated pharmacy professionals as well.
Thank you again for highlighting these important aspects!
Kate Phillips 19 Mar 2024
This sounds like a nifty initiative that would meet a skills gap. I see pharmacy teams becoming more and more involved in the delivery of primary care and it would be great to have this support available to promote continuous improvement.
Ola Howell 19 Mar 2024
Thank you for your support, Kate. Here's to hoping we will be able to deliver another iteration of the QI for Pharmacy Teams training you were instrumental in delivering a couple of years back!
Matthew Jones 19 Mar 2024
Thanks Kate, there are lots of primary care pharmacy professionals in the network, so this would definitely be aimed at them.
Emma Gibbard 18 Mar 2024
This is an excellent idea, a really important initiative to help to bridge the gap between research and practice and addressing a clear need/gap. Building knowledge and skills in QI and research will have many benefits including improvements in patient care, service provision and improved staff satisfaction, recruitment and retention (tend to be higher in staff involved in research). It would be great to ensure that this is linked into existing networks and initiatives. Great to see both formative and impact evaluation considered - do consider utilising the evaluation support offered by the Q Exchange team to help further develop your plans - including starting by developing a theory of change.
Matthew Jones 19 Mar 2024
Dear Emma,
Thanks for your comments and suggestions, great to hear you're supportive. We're already linked in with lots of other initiatives, like the SW Developing a Research Skilled Workforce initiative, so we must make sure we make this clear. There's been some nice suggestions around using existing MOOCs too.
Aseel Mahmoud 15 Mar 2024
Very interesting project. Will you think about exploring the use of technological solutions in delivering services and training?
Sarah Jones 19 Mar 2024
Thanks for this comment, I agree that effective use of technology is vital to help a project such as this to thrive! Some of us in the network have experience in utilising technology to deliver distance learning training from an HEI perspective, so keen to we are keen to bring this into the mix for this project too. Always keen to learn about new approaches too.
Ola Howell 19 Mar 2024
Thank you Aseel. I second Matthew's reply. Is there any specific solution you have on your mind?
Matthew Jones 19 Mar 2024
Thanks Aseel, that's a good point. With such a large geography, technology will be key to delivering this in way everyone can access - something the SWPRN already does. Another commenter mentioned looking a MOOCS, so we should look at this too.
Mandy Slatter 15 Mar 2024
This sounds a really interesting and important piece to upskill and motivate the pharmacy workforce towards QI and research. Mentorship opportunities are particularly valued. Will you also be looking at enhancing opportunities for engagement with developed resources/routes of access to grassroots workforce - the tricky issue of getting the unengaged to take that first small step on this journey in a defined, manageable way which grows confidence and may then open the door to embed these skills in practice.
Ola Howell 19 Mar 2024
Thank you, Mandy.
Engaging the initially uninterested is such an important issue we are constantly trying to address. We are hoping that collaborating with other organisations with similar agenda, promoting the Network's activities (like the online journal club) via social media and direct emailing organisations will help us spread the message. The planned Innovation Day will also be a wonderful opportunity to showcase any local QI and research work done by the pharmacy teams in the South West.
Matthew Jones 19 Mar 2024
Thanks Mandy, that's a good point and always a challenge. We'll also need to define how much of the workforce needs to be engaged to what extent. It certainly doesn't need everyone at the same level.
Nicola Leney 15 Mar 2024
This is critical. There are many pharmacists in clinical roles who are keen to be involved in research, but have no idea where to start. Pharmacists are not routinely included in initiatives targeted at doctors and nurses to get involved in workplace research. This project really is key to unlocking a wealth of clinical expertise in delivering relevant, actionable research.
Sarah Jones 19 Mar 2024
Thanks Nicola, one challenge I think is that quite often people equate pharmacy staff involvement with research activity only with clinical trial delivery. This is of course very important but there is so much more that we can contribute!
Ola Howell 19 Mar 2024
Thank you, Nicola.
It is truly saddening that such a wonderful resource is underutilised in healthcare quality improvement and research. We need to start somewhere and hopefully this project will add to the already (slowly) changing landscape and encourage more pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to take part in these important activities.
Matthew Jones 19 Mar 2024
Thanks Nicola, we think so too!
Christos Vasilakis 13 Mar 2024
Very interesting project in improving research and QI skills among pharmacy professionals. You may already be aware of this, there is a MOOC in QI we've developed at U of Bath in collaboration with Health Innovation West of England that could be useful as an online training course. Our evaluation results (protocol paper here, results yet to be peer reviewed) showed that the course had a significant positive impact on learners’ confidence in, and familiarity with, QI concepts and activities, as well as their participation in QI initiatives (although we observed no positive impact on learners’ actual knowledge of QI). Also, a more recent MOOC in Innovation in Healthcare may be useful too.
In any case, good luck with this project!
Ola Howell 19 Mar 2024
Thanks Christos! These are all incredibly important points. It's exciting to hear about the positive impact on learners' confidence and participation in QI initiatives, which aligns well with our project's objectives. While the distinction between the impact on confidence and actual knowledge is an interesting observation, it underscores the importance of practical application and continuous learning. We'll definitely explore incorporating this MOOC and the one on Innovation in Healthcare into our project. In fact, in my role in the Health Innovation West of England (previously called the SW AHSN), we have already delivered an accredited training programme for pharmacy teams new to QI - we hope to repeat this with the new funding, if successful.
Your suggestions are greatly appreciated, and we're thankful for your support and good wishes for our project!
Matthew Jones 19 Mar 2024
Dear Christos
Thanks for the suggestion - linking in with those existing MOOCs could be really beneficial and efficient.
Kizzie Jacobs 13 Mar 2024
This is a great idea, there is definitely appetite in the region for training so that more pharmacy professionals can get involved, I am keen to see what this looks like!
Ola Howell 19 Mar 2024
Thank you, Kizzie. So glad to hear your thoughts.
We are all passionate about promoting QI and research among the pharmacy colleagues and are excited about the opportunities and activities this grant would enable us deliver.
Matthew Jones 19 Mar 2024
Thanks Kizzie, it's great to hear that you support this.
Robin Mitchell 13 Mar 2024
An exciting project that will take pharmacists contribution to quality improvement and research practice to the next level. There's a ready-made community with proven ability to mobilise (such as last year's SWPRN conference in Taunton. This project will build sustainable momentum for QI culture in the SW and should help attract / retain new talent. Please suuport.
Ola Howell 19 Mar 2024
Thank you :) We are hoping to elevate pharmacists' contributions to quality improvement and research, building on the momentum from initiatives like the last year's conference in Taunton! We are hoping that it was the first one of many!
Matthew Jones 19 Mar 2024
Thanks Robin, I agree - we've got the community, now we need to give them supportive resources.
Tim Rennie 13 Mar 2024
This is a really exciting project that not only fits well into what we're doing at the University of Bath in advanced practice/research development/QI, but also a clear focus expressed by NHS England and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society recently. The results of this project will therefore better inform progress on national projects. However, arguably more importantly, this will empower grass roots pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in improving quality locally and answering pertinent questions they have to ultimately benefit patient care and population health outcomes.
Ola Howell 19 Mar 2024
Thank you for your encouraging words and for drawing parallels between our project and the focus areas of NHS England and the RPS. It's heartening to hear your perspective on how the project could contribute to informing national projects and, crucially, empower grassroots pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. As you are very well aware, improving quality at a local level and addressing key questions to benefit patient care and population health outcomes are core to our mission. Thank you for your support!
Matthew Jones 19 Mar 2024
Thanks for your support Tim, we're certainly aiming for this to align with all those on-going initiatives and more.
Jon Standing 12 Mar 2024
An excellent initiative… Pharmacy staff have a real desire to become more actively involved in research and QI.
One of the key pillars our roles that doesn’t stand high enough.
Ola Howell 19 Mar 2024
Thank you, Jon for pointing out the genuine enthusiasm within our pharmacy community for research and quality improvement. It’s evident, yet perhaps not emphasized as much as it should be. Your insight not only reinforces the significance of our project but also reminds us of the collective effort needed to enhance our roles meaningfully. I’m grateful for your support and perspective as we navigate this journey together.
Matthew Jones 19 Mar 2024
Thanks Jon, I love your metaphor about the height of the pillar, I'll have to borrow that!
Helen McDonald 12 Mar 2024
A great initiative! It could also support aims to develop the wider public health workforce (of which pharmacists and pharmacy technicians form an important part, with particularly good ability to reach areas of higher deprivation through community pharmacy), so the South West Population and Public Health Academy may be a good group to build connections with.
Ola Howell 19 Mar 2024
Thanks, Helen! We truly believe that this initiative aligns perfectly with efforts to develop the wider public health workforce, especially given the pivotal role pharmacists and technicians play in reaching underserved areas.
Matthew Jones 19 Mar 2024
Thanks Helen, yes we must make sure the public health roles of pharmacists are reflected, as these can be improved like any other service.
Matthew Jones 12 Mar 2024
This is a really important project. Pharmacy needs to develop a stronger QI and research culture and this could be a really useful way to help address the pharmacy recruitment and retention problems in the south west.
It would be important to work with relevant existing organisations in the area (e.g. CRNs, ARCs) to avoid duplication of effort and ensure the project is sustainable in the long-term.
Sarah Jones 19 Mar 2024
This definitely fits in to the wider picture of developing the pharmacy workforce - important for staff retention and ultimately delivering better care to patients.
Ola Howell 19 Mar 2024
Thank you. Meeting with other stakeholders with an interest in the pharmacy QI/research has been added to the timeline and will help us to refine the offer.
Elizabeth Beech 11 Mar 2024
Really support developing the improvement skills of the pharmacy workforce, however it would be even better if the proposal were to link and connect to some of the existing NHS improvement collaboratives and workforce development programmes in active place in the South West NHS Region too. Happy to support connection
Ola Howell 12 Mar 2024
That's a wonderful idea. Let's do it. That introduction would be much appreciated :)
Nuala Hampson (she/her) 28 Feb 2024
Love this idea! When planning the training/education you might want to refer to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society competence frameworks for advanced and consultant pharmacists which both include a research domain. This is a challenge for many pharmacists. You could even consider using the competence framework (ie successful completion of that domain) as an outcome measure. It would also be great to share this more widely with pharmacy educators - HEIs, CPPE?
I look forward to seeing how your project progresses. Good luck!
Sarah Jones 19 Mar 2024
We've definitely been mindful of how existing network activities can contribute to pharmacists building portfolios to evidence advanced and consultant level practice, and an interesting idea about using success in evidencing the research pillar competency framework as an outcome.
Nuala Hampson (she/her) 13 Mar 2024
It would also be great to include sustainability within your QI training as detailed on the SusQI website. This would link in with the RPS sustainability policies and give pharmacy professionals the skills to capture the environmental and social impacts of their quality improvements (many pharmacy roles are already well aligned with sustainable healthcare already, eg reducing medicines waste, optimising inhaler use etc). Very happy to chat further if you'd like to know more.
Ola Howell 8 Mar 2024
Great idea, Nuala! Thank you.
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