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Developing pharmacist practice through a pilot family practice preceptorship programme: a prospective quantitative
Tamara M Cairney1, Heather Harrison2, Mairi-Anne McLean2
1Pharmacy Services, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Clarkston Court, 56 Busby Road, Glasgow, Scotland, G76 7AT, UK. tamara.cairney2@nhs.scot.
International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
|August 6, 2026
Summary
A structured preceptorship programme improved General Practice Clinical Pharmacists' (GPCPs) self-assessed competence and confidence. The programme also led to a short-term increase in medication review activity, highlighting its potential benefits for primary care practice.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacy Practice
- Primary Care Medicine
- Health Professions Education
Background:
- Primary care services globally face workforce shortages, necessitating enhanced multidisciplinary collaboration.
- General Practice Clinical Pharmacists (GPCPs) are integrated into Scottish primary care teams, providing essential medicines-related services.
- Variations in GPCPs' clinical experience and training necessitate structured support for role development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of a structured preceptorship program on GPCPs' self-reported training needs.
- To evaluate changes in GPCPs' self-assessed competence and confidence in primary care settings.
- To analyze the effect of the preceptorship on medication review activity.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, repeated-measures survey design using the Hennessy-Hicks Training Needs Analysis questionnaire was employed.
- GPCPs completed the questionnaire pre- and post-a 12-week preceptorship program, rating task importance, performance, and confidence.
- Medication review activity data were extracted from electronic records for analysis pre- and post-programme.
Main Results:
- Fifty-three GPCPs enrolled, with 51 completing the program; 76% of responses were matched pre- and post-assessment.
- Significant reductions in self-reported training needs were observed, particularly in areas like mental health reviews and biopsychosocial assessments (p < 0.001).
- Self-reported competence and confidence increased across all categories, alongside a temporary rise in median monthly medication reviews from 2 to 4.
Conclusions:
- Structured preceptorship is linked to enhanced self-reported competence and confidence among GPCPs.
- The program demonstrated a short-term positive effect on medication review activity.
- Further research is needed to confirm if these improvements lead to sustained clinical practice changes and better patient outcomes.
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