PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION: COVID-19 resilient pharmacy education: A grassroots work-integrated programme to strengthen the pharmaceutical workforce in Namibia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2020.202.205211Keywords:
COVID-19, Namibia, Pharmacy Education, Work Integrated, WorkforceAbstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to suspension of pharmacy education in resource-limited settings, negatively impacting pharmaceutical workforce outputs.
Aims: To identify the elements of a COVID-19 resilient pharmacy education programme in Namibia and its grassroots impact on the pharmaceutical workforce and systems strengthening.
Methods: An evaluation of COVID-19 resilience of the Diploma in Pharmacy programme in Namibia. Data on elements for resilience and outcomes were collected; qualitative and quantitative data were analysed descriptively.
Results: The evaluation identified ten key elements for successful implementation of a COVID-19 resilient pharmacy education programme. The integration of quality improvement projects in the workplace strengthened pharmaceutical systems and workforce capacity in areas of rational medicine use and supply management of medicines.
Conclusions: Whilst the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted pharmacy education, this paper presents ten elements that, when implemented, may improve the resilience and minimise unforeseen academic interruptions during pandemics.
References
Amimo, F., Lambert, B., & Magit, A. (2020) What does the COVID-19 pandemic mean for HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria control? Tropical Medicine and Health, 48(32). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41182-020-00219-6
Bates, I., Christopher, J., Andreia, B., Fu, P., & Aliabadi, A. (2016). An Analysis of the Global Pharmacy Workforce Capacity. Human Resources for Health, 14, 61. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-016-0158-z
Draugalis, J.R., Johnson, E.J., & Urice, D.R. (2020). Challenges and Lessons Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic at One College of Pharmacy. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 84(6), https://doi.org/10.5688/ajpe8157
Fuller, K.A., Heldenbrand, S.D., Smith, M.D., & Malcom, D.R. (2020). A Paradigm Shift in US Experiential Pharmacy Education Accelerated by the COVID-19 Pandemic. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 84(6), https://doi.org/10.5688.ajpe8149
Global Health Workforce Alliance. (2013). Global Key Messages. Global Health Workforce Alliance. Available at: https://www.who.int/workforcealliance/media/KeyMessages_3GF.pdf
Government: Republic of Namibia. (2004). Pharmacy Act 9 of 2004. h Available at: http://www.lac.org.na/laws/annoSTAT/Pharmacy%20Act%209%20of%202004.pdf
Iwuoha, V.C., Eziebe, E.N., & Ezeibe, C.C. (2020). Glocalization of COVID-19 Responses and Management of the Pandemic in Africa. Local Environment, 25(8), 641-647. https://doi.org/10.1080/13549839.2020.1802410
Jackson, D. (2015). Employability Skill Development in Work-Integrated Learning: Barriers and Best Practice. Studies in Higher Education, 40, https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2013.842221
Jernigan, D.B. (2020). Update: Public Health Response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak - United States, February 24, 2020. MMWR/Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6908e1
Joshi, M.P., Chintu, C., Mpundu, M., Kibuule, D., Hazemba, O., Andualem, T., Embrey, M., Phulu, B., & Gerba, H. (2018). Multidisciplinary and multisectoral coalitions as catalysts for action against antimicrobial resistance: Implementation experiences at national and regional levels. Global Public Health, 13(12), 1781-1795. https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2018.1449230
Kagoya, H.R., Kibuule, D., Rennie, T.W., & Mitonga, H.K. (2020). A Model to Strengthen Utility of Quality Pharmaceutical Health Systems Data in Resource-Limited Settings. Medicine Access @ Point of Care. https://doi.org/10.1177/2399202620940267
Kibuule, D., Lates, J., Kagoya, H.R, Bayobuya, P., Niaz, Q., & Rennie, T.W. (2017). Cost-Effective Model for Monitoring Medicine Use in Namibia: Outcomes and Implications. African Evaluation Journal, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.4102/aej.v5i2.213
Koehler, T., & Brown, A. (2017). A Global Picture of Pharmacy Technician and Other Pharmacy Support Workforce Cadres. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 13(2), 271-279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2016.12.004
Ley, T., Ulbrich, A., Scheir, P., Lindstaedt, S.N., Kump, B., & Albert, D. (2008). Modeling Competencies for Supporting Work-Integrated Learning in Knowledge Work. Journal of Knowledge Management, 12(6). https://doi.org/10.1108/13673 270810913603
Lyons, K.M., Christopoulos, A., & Brock, T.P. (2020). Sustainable Pharmacy Education in the Time of COVID-19. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 84(6), https://doi.org/10.5688/ajpe8088
Martin, J., Bohuslava, J., & Igor, H. (2018). Augmented Reality in Education 4.0. 2018 IEEE 13th International Scientific and Technical Conference on Computer Sciences and Information Technologies, CSIT 2018 - Proceedings. https://doi.org/10.1109/STC-CSIT.2018.8526676
Mazibuko, G.N., Sagwa, E., Kagoya, H.R. Kibuule, D., Rennie, T., Mavere, T., Ghoneim, R., Mabirizi, D., Naikaku, E., Niaz, Q., & Lates, J. (2014). Incorporating pharmaceutical supply management modules in the pre-service curriculum of the BPharm program, of the University of Namibia, School of Pharmacy. Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice, 7(12). https://doi.org/10.1186/2052-3211-7-S1-P12
Mohammad, I., Berlie, H.D., Lipari, M., Martirosov, A.L., Duong, A.A., Faraj, M., Bacon, O., & Garwood, C.L. (2020) Restructuring the inpatient advanced pharmacy practice experience to reduce the risk of contracting coronavirus disease 2019: Lessons from Saudi Arabia. Journal of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy. 3(6), 1129-1137. https://doi.org/10.1002/jac5.1237
Ogunleye, O.O., Basu, D., Mueller, D., Sneddon, J., Seaton, R.A., Yinka-Ogunleye, A.F., Wamboga, J., Miljković, N., et al. (2020). Response to the Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) Pandemic Across Africa: Successes, Challenges, and Implications for the Future. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 11(1205). https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.01205
Pearson, M.L., & Hubball, H.T. (2012). Curricular integration in pharmacy education. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 76(10), 204. https://doi.org/10.5688/ajpe7610204
Persky, A.M., Fuller, K.A., Jarstfer, M., Rao, K., Rodgers, J.E., & Smith, M. (2020). Maintaining Core Values in Postgraduate Programs During the COVID-19 Pandemic. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 84(6), https://doi.org/10.5688/ajpe8158
Rennie, T., Nangombe, V., Mangombe, T., Kibuule, D. & Hunter, C.J. (2019), Health workforce planning in Namibia: assessing a pilot workforce survey of pharmacists. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice, 27, 565-574. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijpp.12547
Rennie, T.W., & Hunter, C.J. (2020). Contributing to health training in low and middle income countries - global health programmes' responsibility to be sustainable and impactful. Journal of Global Health, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.7189/jogh.10.010310
Schneider, M., & Nam, N.H.T. (2020). Africa and Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals in the Times of COVID-19. Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice, 15(6), 417-418. https://doi.org/10.1093/jiplp/jpaa073
Stone, J.K., & Pate, A.N. (2020). The Impact of COVID-19 Through the Eyes of a Fourth-Year Pharmacy Student. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 84(6). https://doi.org/10.5688/ajpe8146
UNAM. (2019). School of Pharmacy Prospectus. Available at: http://unam.edu.na/sites/default/files/newsletter/school_of_pha rmacy_prospectus_2019.pdf
World Economic Forum. (2017). The Future of Jobs and Skills in Africa - Preparing the Region for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Available at: https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-future-of-jobs-and-skills-in-africa-preparing-the-region-for-the-fourth-industrial-revolution
