Abstract
BackgroundUnderstanding the origin and evolution of education of pharmacists is important for practice and health system reforms. In Ghana, education of pharmacists started in the 1880s with the training of dispensers in a government hospital. Over the years, the curriculum and institutional arrangements changed and currently pharmacists are trained in universities. In this study we explored how and why education of pharmacists evolved in Ghana.MethodsWe used a case study design to systematically describe education of pharmacists reforms. Data was collected from October 2018 and December 2019 through document review and in-depth interviews. The data was analysed based on institutional arrangements and contextual factors influencing reforms from the 1880s through 2012, when the Doctor of pharmacy programme was initiated in Ghana.ResultsReforms occurred around four main periods when institutional arrangements including the certificate awarded and expected roles were modified by educators and government. These are: (1) the Certificate of dispensing with dispenser-in-training and nurse-dispenser schemes (1880s to 1942), when dispensers were trained to assist doctors in dispensing or directly diagnosing and treating specific disease conditions. (2) the Diploma and Certificate of competency with the dispenser-in-training and pupil pharmacist schemes (1943 to 1960), where in addition to existing roles, pharmacists operated village dispensers. (3) the Bachelor of pharmacy degree (1961 to 2017), when pharmacists were trained mainly as medicines experts with a strong science base on all aspects of medicines from production, distribution and use; and over time with a gradual move to patient-oriented practice. (4) the Doctor of pharmacy degree (2012 to date), where in addition to existing roles, trainees are exposed to advance professional practice experiences. Important factors influencing the reforms included, health systems demands for village dispensaries and clinically oriented pharmacists, and harmonization with regional and international training and practice.ConclusionReasons influencing education of pharmacists reforms are context specific and are driven by historical experiences, national and international expectations as well as educators and regulators abilities to influence change. These reforms call for direct corresponding change in professional practice laws and regulation to enable pharmacists contribute fully to health care delivery in Ghana.
Highlights
MethodsWe used a case study design to systematically describe education of pharmacists reforms
Understanding the origin and evolution of education of pharmacists is important for practice and health system reforms
Certificate of dispensing (1880s-1942) Trainee title: dispenser-in-training (1880s-1930) In the colonial era, healthcare systems focused on health provisions for the Europeans who were in the Gold Coast at the time
Summary
We used a case study design to systematically describe education of pharmacists reforms. Data was collected from October 2018 and December 2019 through document review and in-depth interviews. Study design A longitudinal case studies of reforms for education of pharmacists was conducted for the period 1880s to 2012. Data was collected between October 2018 and December 2019 using extensive desk review and analysis and in-depth interviews. Data sources and collection The study relied greatly on reviews and analysis of documents and archival materials including colonial correspondence and reports (Table 1) to map historical and current happenings. Published literature related to education of pharmacists and pharmacy practice were obtained using a web-based search engine google scholar
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