Developing the capacity of pharmacists in Jordan: Progress, challenges and opportunities

Bader, Lina R. (2017) Developing the capacity of pharmacists in Jordan: Progress, challenges and opportunities. PhD thesis, University of Nottingham.

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Abstract

Pharmacists in Jordan are greatly positioned to play a key role in shaping the future direction of the country’s healthcare system, particularly in terms of improving patient and health outcomes.

However, the available literature reports a number of problems affecting the Jordanian pharmacy sector across the professional practice, education and regulation spheres; issues which have been hindering the adequate provision of pharmaceutical care services, as well as the overall development of the profession.

This study aims to examine the current status of the pharmacy profession in Jordan, notably in terms of the challenges and opportunities it faces, with a particular focus on the educational sector. To that end, a mixed methods approach was employed in which a series of studies were conducted.

In the first study, semi-structured interviews and focus group sessions were carried out to identify and explore the main challenges facing the profession. Interview transcripts were thematically analysed, with eight principal ‘challenge areas’ being identified. These results were validated by focus group findings, and tailored recommendations were produced to address each challenge.

In the second study, data from the Official National Register of pharmacists were obtained, collated and analysed, so as to establish workforce trends. Geographical, sectoral and gender distribution imbalances were identified; gaps in the current workforce intelligence were also highlighted and discussed.

The third study employed a set of surveys to collect academic and institutional capacity information from pharmacy schools in Jordan. Surveys were completed using data triangulated from multiple sources (including official documents, schools websites and dean interviews).

In the final study, a secondary qualitative content analysis of the interview transcripts was undertaken to identify gaps in pharmacy graduates’ skills and competencies. The Global Competency Framework for pharmacy was used as the starter coding framework. Sixty eight (68) behaviours from across the Framework’s four competency domains were identified by participants as lacking in graduates.

As such, this thesis represents the first holistic investigation of the status of the pharmacy profession, workforce and education in Jordan, including the opportunities and challenges faced by the sector. This work’s original contribution to knowledge lies not only in the new baseline information produced, but also in the evidence-based guidance and recommendations presented to local stakeholders and researchers.

Item Type: Thesis (University of Nottingham only) (PhD)
Supervisors: Anderson, Claire
McGrath, Simon
Subjects: R Medicine > RS Pharmacy and materia medica
Faculties/Schools: UK Campuses > Faculty of Social Sciences, Law and Education > School of Education
UK Campuses > Faculty of Science > School of Pharmacy
Item ID: 41037
Depositing User: Bader, Lina
Date Deposited: 17 Jul 2017 04:40
Last Modified: 13 Oct 2017 01:36
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/41037

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