WONG WAI KEE 1 , CHUA SIEW SIANG 1 , LAM KAI KUN 2 1 Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya.

1. IMPLEMENTATION OF CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD) ON COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS WONG WAI KEE1, CHUA SIEW SIANG1, LAM KAI KUN2 1Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya. 2Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society.

2. INTRODUCTION • Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE) is a lifelong learning process → a passive uptake process • CPD → all activities that a pharmacist can do to maintain his/her competence & to develop his/her professional capabilities •  active learning & searching for opportunities to upgrade one’s skills and knowledge.

3. INTRODUCTION • Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Figure 1: The 4 steps cycle of CPD Source: RPSGB 20031 1Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain 2003, Plan and Record. Retrieved July 29, 2006, from http://www.uptodate.org.uk/P lanandRecord/Pharm_PandR/ Pharm_PandR_main.pdf

4. INTRODUCTION Malaysia: • Medical doctors, dentists & pharmacists are supposed to complete at least 30 CPD/CPE points annually • Govt. sector – part of annual evaluation • Private sector – still voluntary

5. OBJECTIVES 1. To determine the extent CPs have participated in CPD. 2. To assess the number of CPD points that is acceptable by the CPs and the time frame for making CPD mandatory. 3. To identify CPD activities that community pharmacists will be interested to participate.

6. METHODOLOGY 4 CPs 15 CPs Phone follow-up & via HQ of Chain Nov 2006 – Feb 2007 371 respondents (29.2%) Exclusion: Ceased operation Shifted Chain pharmacy with no pharmacist [ 1271 CPs] Figure 2: Flowchart of Methodology

7. Table 1: Demographic Data of Respondents

8. Mandatory CPD • 91.9% were aware that CPD has been introduced • 93.8% agreed that CPD helps to ensure CPs are in touch with current therapy2 • 12.4% knew their CPD points for 2005 • Mean points+SD = 11.7 + 13.2 / Median = 8.5 • 72.8% felt 30 CPD points/year was difficult to achieve • 32.6% < 2 years • 74.4% < 5 years supported mandatory CPD 2Swainson & Silcock (2004) Pharm J; 272:290-3

10. Table 2: Support for mandatory CPD • Gender, age & yrs of practice  correlated with attitude towards CPD. • Older pharmacists were less likely to support mandatory CPD.

11. Table 2: Support for mandatory CPD • Female pharmacists between 21 to 30 years old, with shorter working experience and employed by large corporate bodies were more likely to support mandatory CPD. • Similar results were obtained by Mottram et al. (2002)4 4Mottram et al. (2002) Pharma J; 269: 618-22.

12.   Similar to a study in Nottingham by Attewell et al. (2005)5 5Attewell, Blenkinsopp & Black (2005) Pharm J; 271: 519-24

14. Limitations of the Study • Low response rate (29.2%)  respondents may be a sub-group who are more concerned about the pharmacy profession • Mail questionnaire  low response rate but reaches a wider area with minimum resources • No official list of community pharmacists in M’sia

15. Conclusions • CPD points achieved by the respondents were much lower than the required 30 points per year. • Mandatory CPD in 2 years’ time should only be considered if more CPD activities are defined and made available. • Activities that can be incorporated into the working routine of CPs are preferred. • Self-study packages can also be developed to reach CPs outside the major cities.

16. Acknowledgements • Special thanks to Ms Fung Lee Jean, Ms Jennifer Tan, Ms Yip Sook Ying and Ms Wong Hooi Fen for their feedback on the questionnaire. • Many thanks to the Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society for all the assistance rendered. • Our greatest appreciation to ALL the Community Pharmacists who have spent their valuable time to fill the questionnaire.

17. THANK YOU