A DOSE OF
By Dr Dan Corbett
W DIGITAL?
The rapidly evolving digital health landscape demands that student pharmacists develop skills to effectively integrate digital approaches into their practice, ultimately optimising patient care.
ithin the MPharm programme delivered by the School of Pharmacy at Queen's University Belfast (QUB),
the application and awareness of digital health is at the forefront of student learning, shaping pharmacists who are truly ready for the future.
In short, digital health involves using digital tools - both hardware and software-based - to support patients in achieving their healthcare objectives. As healthcare continues to digitise, the practice of healthcare professionals, particularly that of pharmacists, has evolved accordingly. To that end, healthcare agencies have responded with guidance (such as the All-Ireland Digital Capability Framework for Health and Social Care), which outlines the capabilities professionals should possess to effectively utilise digital health tools, and related levels of proficiency – this guidance, the ongoing development of related technologies, and the engrained role which pharmacists have in the care of patients undoubtedly paves the way for pharmacy's crucial place within healthcare's digital future.
With respect to undergraduate pharmacy education, the current (2021) joint Standards for the initial education and training of pharmacists explicitly requires that students "keep abreast of new technologies and use data and digital technologies to improve clinical outcomes and patient safety." The QUB School of Pharmacy ensures its MPharm programme equips students to meet these requirements across several key themes.
Keeping and Using Data Safely The production and use of patient-related data is fundamental to digital health. QUB pharmacy students undertake extensive learning in relation to information governance, related key legislative aspects, and relevant professional standards. To further support this, students learn about effective cybersecurity practices and put these into practice, preparing them to use datasets for patient benefit, while ensuring data privacy. This training is contextualised within key areas, including where possible during experiential learning, and more specifically with a focus on the use of shared care records such as encompass, reinforcing how safe data practices contribute to clinical outcomes and patient confidence.
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