Development of Core Competencies for a new Master of Pharmacy Degree

Authors

  • Tommy Eriksson Lund University
  • Peter Höglund Lund University
  • Göran Thome Lund University
  • Gudrun Edgren Lund University

Keywords:

Core Curriculum, Core Competencies, Pharmacist, Pharmacy Student, Delphi, Expert Group, Pharmacy Degree, Sweden

Abstract

Background: A new MSc Pharmacy degree is being developed at Lund University, Sweden.

Aims: To identify the core competencies that a newly qualified pharmacist needs for future employment.

Method: In a modified three-round Delphi technique, 40 experts were asked to list the necessary competencies. After content analysis, the experts classified the list by importance on two successive occasions using a 4-level scale (4: necessary; 1: not necessary). Competencies with a consensual mean score of > 3.5 were retained.

Results: Thirty three experts (82%) completed all three rounds. The open questions resulted in 600 suggestions, subsequently reduced to 120 competencies. Another five competencies were added after the second round. After round three, 48 competencies had been retained. The experts agreed on both necessary and not absolutely necessary competencies.

Conclusion: Our study allowed consensus to be reached and identified core competencies that could be transferred to learning outcomes for the planned degree. 

Author Biographies

Tommy Eriksson, Lund University

Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine

Peter Höglund, Lund University

Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine

Göran Thome, Lund University

Centre for Teaching and Learning, Faculty of Medicine

Gudrun Edgren, Lund University

Centre for Teaching and Learning, Faculty of Medicine

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Published

23-08-2012

How to Cite

Eriksson, T., Höglund, P., Thome, G., & Edgren, G. (2012). Development of Core Competencies for a new Master of Pharmacy Degree. Pharmacy Education, 12. Retrieved from https://pharmacyeducation.fip.org/pharmacyeducation/article/view/284

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Section

Research Article