Ahh….. the classic issue of Contract Pharmacists, the hot topic est. since 2016 yet with any mutually acceptable resolution.
But let’s be frank, this issue will still be up in the air for a while more hence we have to live with this fact currently and adapt to this new way of career pathway in the public sector. To empower our future and/or current contract pharmacists, the Malaysian Pharmacists Society – Young Pharmacists Chapter (MPS-YPC) have organised an engagement series called ‘Contract Pharmacists Speak.’

The first topic, ‘Culture in Training and Preceptorship’ on a beautiful 16th September highlighted PRPs and preceptors’ opinions and experiences on the current PRP training programme from their perspectives. We had Mr Teoh, a preceptor in his facility with Mr Sean, Ms Zaihan and Ms Hui Che who are ex-contract pharmacists shared their insights for this round of open conversation.

Q1: Is the current PRP training module structured and comprehensive sufficiently to produce competent pharmacists?

PRP training in general is able to provide basic competency and overview of the whole pharmacy department with 56% of participants agreed that the trainees were prepared well-enough to handle roles as pharmacists. PRP logbooks are the same for each PRP, however in reality, there is still lack of standardisation and presence of discrepancies in its implementation across facilities. Some expressed that pharmacy units placed more emphasis on how PRP should work completing daily tasks to ensure smooth workflow rather than focusing on whether a PRP has achieved his/her learning objectives in that department. This could affect the training and learning process of the PRP and may limit his/her potential and exposure to be competent. From preceptor’s point of view, PRPs are expected to be more proactive, forthcoming and willing to go the extra mile to learn and improve the current work process. A periodic discussion between preceptor and PRP can be beneficial to discuss about each side’s expectations and learning.

 

Q2: Do you agree with the statement that training provided in your facility has emphasized more on facts rather than the practice per se?

Results from participants’ poll revealed that 62% disagree with this statement. This is because in some cases, knowledge from textbooks may not be applicable in that facility and real-life scenario where there is the problem of manpower, resources and time. Truth to be told, PRPs may not be equipped well with all the facts in the first place and thus leading to the lack of confidence in making suggestions. Hence, guidance from preceptors especially in the beginning phase of PRP would definitely help them to learn, experience and build confidence along the way.

 

Q3: Have you ever felt that you were treated as a substitute workforce in your facility throughout the training?

80% of the audience agreed that they felt treated as a substitute workforce. As PRP, covering few departments is able to give exposure and hands-on experiences to gain some understanding on how each pharmacy unit run. Yet, for FRPs, portfolios and career development opportunities are not given to contract pharmacists, hence the feeling of being treated as a substitute workforce. The current COVID-19 pandemic situation is also not helping with this issue when lack of manpower and staff relocation forces everyone to work to their limits.

 

Q4: What are your general impression and comments towards your preceptors?

Generally, preceptors are good and nice people, agreed by over 60% of the audience 🙂 However, there are times when miscommunication and mismatching of expectations may occur between preceptors and PRPs. There is no perfect preceptor, a person may be very knowledgeable but may not be good in sharing his/her knowledge. Bear in mind, preceptors do not receive formal training nor incentives to be preceptors in addition to their usual workload. Most of the time, preceptors train their mentee and pass down their ‘wisdom’ based on how he/she was trained previously, good and bad. Hence, to break this chain, preceptorship training was suggested to close this gap to improve the overall PRP training implementation.

Q5: How do you perceive the training environment in general?

We cannot deny there are plenty of hands-on experiences during the PRP training. Cases of favouritism, toxic work culture, biasness, backstabbing, discrimination and body shaming have been observed but it is time for us break this vicious chain, set barriers and report them.

 

Some important take-home messages;

⦁ Be a real gem, take this PRP training opportunity to polish yourself to be a rare diamond aka competent pharmacist that can survive anywhere!
⦁ Have a conservation between preceptor and PRP to set the expectations and communicate effectively
⦁ Do no harm – do no harm to your patients, colleagues and PRPmates in your journey of becoming capable pharmacists

Personally, I felt this session was enlightening and rare to listen and understand both preceptors and PRPs’ perceptions on the topic. Do stay tuned for the next topic of this Contract Pharmacists Speak Engagement Series!