Multi-professional working

The increasing complexities of patient needs and the associated demands on the healthcare system, combined with a focus on quality and efficiency, require the mobilisation of diverse teams, integrating scientific expertise with ‘softer’ skills. In a departure from traditional professional silo working, pharmacists play a more prolific role in delivering effective episodes of care, supporting patient use of medicines across care pathways and settings in a move towards a seamless healthcare service. Evidence shows that both prescribing errors and lengths of stay are dramatically reduced if a pharmacist is directly involved in patient care, but pharmacy technicians equally need to be upskilled to provide backfill for pharmacists attending team meetings.

Proposed workforce impact

• Expansion of the traditional role of pharmacists.
• Increased collaborative working across healthcare disciplines.
• Access to patient information increases.
• Changing skill mix of pharmacy technicians.

Sources or references

• http://www.mee.nhs.uk/pdf/Independent%20evaluation%20of%20professional%20development%20frameworks.pdf
• https://www.wp.dh.gov.uk/health educationengland/files/2012/10/Institute-of-Education-report-for-MPC.pdf

Additional research questions

• What models of care are already incorporating pharmacists as part of a multidisciplinary team?

Some of the information in this section is provided by stakeholders and expert groups, and does not necessarily represent the views of the CfWI.