A consensus definition and core competencies for being an advocate for pharmacy

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Practice
• Health Professions Education

Background:

• Advocacy is crucial for the pharmacy profession's advancement.
• Defining advocacy and associated competencies is essential for PharmD graduates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a consensus definition of "advocacy for the profession of pharmacy."
• To identify core competencies for doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) graduates to become effective advocates.

Main Methods:

• A modified Delphi process involving 9 experts over 3 rounds.
• Experts revised a definition and rated competency statements using a 5-point Likert scale.

Main Results:

• A consensus definition for pharmacy advocacy was achieved.
• Two competency statements reached consensus for importance as an advocate and for inclusion in curricula.
• Four additional statements reached consensus on one measure, while four did not reach consensus on either.

Conclusions:

• A consensus definition for pharmacy advocacy was successfully developed.
• The study identified foundational knowledge and skills for effective pharmacy advocacy.
• This work provides a basis for integrating advocacy training into PharmD programs.