Developing clinical and digital skills for Pharmacy Undergraduate Students using EPMA systems

Developing and using technology more effectively is key to our pharmacy strategy and will develop the skill-mix of the future pharmacy workforce in an innovative and novel way. A key component of the NHS Long Term Plan is for progress in digitally-enabled care to go mainstream across the NHS. In order to achieve this, the future NHS workforce needs to be better equipped with the knowledge and skills around information technology and digitalisation. One of the practical priorities that will drive NHS digital transformation is to “encourage a world leading health IT industry with a supportive environment for software developers and innovators”.

The workforce transformation initiative from CHS will support the future pharmacy workforce to develop the skills they need to make effective use of digital services and technologies to work effectively and flexibly.

CHS will develop a training programme to upskill pharmacy undergraduate students in digital clinical skills, using EPMA systems. This can be further developed in the future, for other trainee groups, as well as incorporating prescribing training.

The programme will enable students to act independently and consistently using EPMA systems to demonstrate meeting the GPhC learning outcomes at the higher levels of Miller’s triangle.

Development and implementation of a pharmacy undergraduate training programme on digital and clinical skills, using EPMA systems, including:

Content will include:

A pilot programme will be run over the summer of 2023, with course content being reviewed in collaboration with Brighton University, for implementation in the Undergraduate programme in September 2023.