Using Learning Agreements in a Competency-based Training Programme: Introduction and Evaluation by Preregistration Pharmacists
Keywords:
competency, training programmeAbstract
This research sought to investigate the use of learning agreements between students and course organisers of a series of South Thames Hospital Pharmacist Preregistration study days. Learning agreements were negotiated at the start of the course and their perceived value assessed three months after the course by questionnaire. The introduction of the agreement was met enthusiastically by the students. As the year progressed the students became more focussed on the needs of passing the registration exam rather than reviewing their progress against agreed targets. It was felt that learning agreements would only work effectively if they were a more integrated part of the study days throughout the course. The full benefits of learning agreements as an ongoing performance management tool were generally not detected due to a lack of regular review and re-negotiation. Nevertheless, most students questioned were willing to enter into a learning agreement again.References
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