EVOLVING PHARMACY EDUCATION
The landscape of pharmacy education is constantly evolving to meet the demands of an increasingly complex healthcare system. By Lezley-Anne Hanna
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anked as 35th in the world by subject (Pharmacology & Pharmacy) according to the QS World University Rankings 2024,
Queens University Belfast (QUB) School of Pharmacy is recognised for its academic excellence including impactful national and international research.
With the introduction of the 2021 Standards for the Initial Education and Training of Pharmacists, QUB's MPharm degree has undergone significant changes to prepare graduates for their enhanced clinical role, including independent prescribing at the point of registration.
While these changes have brought about new teaching methodologies and curriculum adjustments, fundamental aspects of pharmacy education remain unchanged - such as the emphasis on medicines expertise, research and the science underpinning pharmacy practice.
Key Changes to the MPharm Degree Programme Admissions Process: to align with best practices in healthcare education, QUB has introduced Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) as part of the admissions process to assess professional values and attributes of potential pharmacy students including effective communication, decision- making ability and integrity.
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Enhancing Clinical and Prescribing Skills: Greater emphasis is placed on prescribing skills and attributes including clinical skills, risk management and decision-making ability. Teaching includes physical examination skills, such as blood pressure measurement, respiratory assessments and skin, ear, and throat examinations - increasingly relevant skills as pharmacists take on greater patient-facing responsibilities.
Professional identity and person-centred care are also embedded throughout the course, ensuring that future pharmacists develop both technical expertise and the soft skills required for effective patient engagement. Advances in digital health and science are also integrated to ensure graduates remain at the forefront of healthcare innovation.
Innovative Teaching and Experiential Learning: Pharmacy students now benefit from enhanced interprofessional learning opportunities and simulation-based education, including training at the KN Cheung SK Chin InterSim Centre and a simulated community pharmacy environment, to ensure that students gain real-world experience early in their training.
The continued collaboration between placement providers, education pharmacists, the Northern
Ireland Centre for Pharmacy Learning and Development (NICPLD) and the Department of Health is instrumental in making these practical experiences possible.
Modernised Assessment Methods: Assessment approaches have evolved to better reflect clinical competencies focusing on skills application, reflection and real-world decision- making rather than solely being traditional written examinations. Northern Ireland leads in using Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) in the Pharmacy Experiential Learning Placement Programme. EPAs, such as medication history-taking, patient counselling, medicines reconciliation and prescribing, provide a structured way to assess and develop students’ clinical capabilities, fostering collaboration between education and practice.
As the role of pharmacy continues to evolve, Queen’s University, Belfast will continue to anticipate and embrace change, working with the wider pharmacy community to develop future-ready and forward-looking pharmacy graduates.
For further information about the QUB School of Pharmacy and courses visit:
www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofPharmacy/
QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY, BELFAST WILL CONTINUE TO ANTICIPATE AND EMBRACE CHANGE
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