Implementation of behaviour change training in practice amongst pharmacy professionals in primary care settings:...

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Practice Research
• Health Services Research
• Behavioural Science

Background:

• The Pharmacy Integration Fund (PhIF) in England aimed to enhance clinical pharmacy practice through funded learning pathways.
• Limited research exists on behavior change training for widespread practice transformation in pharmacy.
• Pharmacy professionals are well-positioned for expanded clinical roles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the implementation of PhIF learning programs into practice.
• To utilize the COM-B model of behavior change to analyze implementation factors.
• To assess the impact of PhIF training on pharmacy practice behaviors.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was administered in February and October 2020 to gather data on motivations, confidence, and behavior change.
• Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS, with inferential statistics comparing different learning pathways (PCP, PRP, ACPT).
• Qualitative data from free-text comments were categorized and themed.

Main Results:

• 383 responses indicated learners had capacity and motivation to apply learning, but community pharmacy staff reported less employer support.
• Enhanced knowledge and skills were more frequently reported than direct changes in patient-facing activities or complex medication reviews.
• The COVID-19 pandemic presented additional barriers to implementing practice changes.

Conclusions:

• The PhIF training facilitated successful implementation of clinical practice behaviors at scale.
• Challenges remain in community pharmacy settings due to potential lack of funded service opportunities, impacting workforce transformation.
• Further investigation is required to optimize training implementation for pharmacy professionals across all settings.