Identifying public health competencies for Australian pharmacists: A modified Delphi study

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Practice
• Public Health
• Health Workforce Development

Background:

• Pharmacists are integral to public health initiatives.
• A defined set of competencies is needed to guide pharmacists' public health roles.
• Current competencies for public health services by pharmacists in Australia require clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a consensus-based set of competencies for pharmacists in Australia undertaking public health-related services and activities.
• To define the scope and domains of public health practice for the pharmacy profession.

Main Methods:

• A modified Delphi technique involving two rounds of consensus-building.
• Engagement with public health and pharmacy professionals to refine competency statements.
• Inclusion of practice examples to illustrate competency application.

Main Results:

• Agreement was reached on 27 competency statements for Australian pharmacists.
• Competencies are organized into three domains: health promotion and illness prevention, health protection, and population health quality improvement.
• Refinement of statements on service evaluation and reflective practice occurred in the second round.

Conclusions:

• The defined competencies provide a framework for pharmacists to integrate a public health perspective into their practice.
• This initiative will support greater engagement of the pharmacy profession with public health.
• Identifying these competencies will raise awareness of pharmacists' contributions to public health and guide education and professional development.