Clinical pharmacy education and practice evolvement in Malta

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionMalta, a member state in the European Union, provides an education in line with the requirements for professional registration in Europe including a unique pharmacy education program with patient‐focused practice and synergism between practice, research, and education. A postgraduate Doctorate in Pharmacy program, which runs in collaboration with the College of Pharmacy at the University of Illinois at Chicago provides an opportunity for advanced clinical pharmacy practice and innovative practice research.ObjectiveThis paper discusses how outcomes of pharmacy education developments have impacted pharmacy practice in Malta.MethodsPharmacy education at the University of Malta is examined through an analysis of the facilitators of change, the positiveness of this transformation in pharmacy education, and a critical description of the evolving pharmacy course changes. Objectives and strengths of the changes and how practice research influenced the development of collaborative clinical pharmacy services are described. The uniqueness of clinical pharmacy aspects in community pharmacy, as prompted through educational models, is highlighted. Inspirational aspects through international collaborations, including the establishment of a postgraduate doctorate in pharmacy, are described.ResultsThe leveraging of education, practice, and research provided synergism for advancing pharmacy practice which puts the patient in the center. Transformative education models focusing on empowering graduates were developed and practice research was used to advance practice within health systems. Facilitators included particular settings such as the closeness of the family doctors in community pharmacies, the participation of academics in regulatory sciences leadership, and in international collaborations. The postgraduate professional doctorate in pharmacy program that was developed contributes to the advancement of clinical pharmacy both locally and internationally.ConclusionThe characteristics of pharmacy education in Malta involve the absorption of change in a transformative process that produced positive pharmacy education outcomes and an impact on clinical pharmacy evolvements in both hospital and community practice.