Abstract
BackgroundThe absence of ability and certainty to design and undertake pharmacy practice-based research (PPBR) was a major issue among pharmacists worldwide as reported in previous literature, despite them having an interest in conducting PPBR. Therefore, this study aimed at highlighting the research background of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) pharmacists which are the six Arab states of the Arabian Gulf, and examining barriers to conducting PPBR. In addition, to determine the self-perceived level of competence and confidence when planning and conducting PPBR.MethodsThis is a descriptive, cross-sectional questionnaire-based study, performed among pharmacists working in the GCC countries (i.e. Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar). A pre-validated questionnaire was distributed to a convenience sample, via distribution of 500 research participation cards to conference attendees. These cards a quick response (QR) code, which should be scanned via mobile phone, to direct all readers to the online survey. All pharmacist delegates attending the conference (i.e. the Saudi International Pharmaceutical Sciences Annual National Conference (SIPHA) and Dubai International Pharmaceuticals and Technologies Conference and Exhibition (DUPHAT) in 2020 and who are working in one of the GCC co.untries as pharmacists were considered. The data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Excel software.ResultsTwo hundred and fourteen pharmacists were included. Seventy percent of the pharmacists had past PPBR background. Confidence and competence of pharmacists for research skills in regard to employing appropriate inferential statistical test, choosing software for statistical analysis, drafting a comprehensive plan for data analyses and determining appropriate sample size were weak. Highest competence and confidence were seen in preparing a presentation and searching the literature. Pharmacists with previous research experience (K-W: p = 0.001) and training (K-W: p = 0.003) had an overall ability to conduct PPBR. In addition, they had more interest in conducting PPBR (MWU = 3061.500, z = − 4.126, p = 0.000) and in learning about how to do so (MWU = 8698, z = − 1.898, p = 0.050).ConclusionsPharmacists practicing in the GCC geographic area realized the importance of planning and conducting PPBR and were more confident and competent to undertake and contribute to PPBR, except for skills related to statistical analysis. Therefore, training programmes especially for biostatistics and data analysis are mandatory to enhance pharmacists’ research capabilities.
Highlights
The absence of ability and certainty to design and undertake pharmacy practice-based research (PPBR) was a major issue among pharmacists worldwide as reported in previous literature, despite them having an interest in conducting PPBR
Pharmacists practicing in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) geographic area realized the importance of planning and conducting PPBR and were more confident and competent to undertake and contribute to PPBR, except for skills related to statistical analysis
The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) initiated the ‘nine star pharmacist’ concept, which acknowledged that a well-rounded pharmacist should have the following criteria: a good decision maker, communicator and manager with leadership characteristics, entrepreneur, constant learner, and have teaching skills and research abilities [6]
Summary
The absence of ability and certainty to design and undertake pharmacy practice-based research (PPBR) was a major issue among pharmacists worldwide as reported in previous literature, despite them having an interest in conducting PPBR. In addition to providing support and participating in PPBR, pharmacists are required to undertake PPBR to generate a novel knowledge and integrate its results into patient care practice [7, 8]. This study aimed at highlighting the research background of the GCC pharmacists, estimating their publication rate and determining the barriers to conducting PPBR; seeing whether they have an interest in attending a postgraduate education programme to empower their research capabilities or not; and determining the self-perceived level of competence and confidence when planning and conducting PPBR among pharmacists in GCC countries all together and separately
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