Train-the-trainer programme building clinical pharmacy workforce capacity in Sri Lanka: Design and evaluation

Authors

  • Ian Coombes School of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia & Royal Brisbane and Woman’s Hospital, Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane, Australia & Collaboration of Australians and Sri Lankans for Pharmacy Practice Education and Research (CASPPER), Brisbane, Australia
  • Judith Coombes School of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia & Collaboration of Australians and Sri Lankans for Pharmacy Practice Education and Research (CASPPER), Brisbane, Australia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4871-7783
  • Hannah Knowles School of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia & Royal Brisbane and Woman’s Hospital, Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane, Australia & Collaboration of Australians and Sri Lankans for Pharmacy Practice Education and Research (CASPPER), Brisbane, Australia https://orcid.org/0009-0005-8751-5203
  • Paul Firman School of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia & Royal Brisbane and Woman’s Hospital, Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane, Australia & Collaboration of Australians and Sri Lankans for Pharmacy Practice Education and Research (CASPPER), Brisbane, Australia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1642-8004
  • Yashani Algama Collaboration of Australians and Sri Lankans for Pharmacy Practice Education and Research (CASPPER), Brisbane, Australia & Princess Alexandra Hospital, Metro South Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane, Australia https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1544-0678
  • Tara Van Der Vliet Collaboration of Australians and Sri Lankans for Pharmacy Practice Education and Research (CASPPER), Brisbane, Australia & Commonwealth Pharmacists Association (CPA), London, England, United Kingdom https://orcid.org/0009-0009-8540-5851
  • Savini Senadheera Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Colombo, Sri Lanka
  • Yashoda Samhadi Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Colombo, Sri Lanka https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3124-1790
  • Nithushi Samaranayake Collaboration of Australians and Sri Lankans for Pharmacy Practice Education and Research (CASPPER), Brisbane, Australia & Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Colombo, Sri Lanka
  • Amanda Wheeler Collaboration of Australians and Sri Lankans for Pharmacy Practice Education and Research (CASPPER), Brisbane, Australia & School of Pharmacy & Medical Sciences and Centre for Mental Health, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia & Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Auckland University, Auckland, New Zealand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2025.251.407421

Keywords:

Clinical pharmacy, Clinical teaching, Collaboration, Feedback, Training programme

Abstract

Background: Clinical pharmacy services in Sri Lanka are a component of the response to the WHO’s Medication Without Harm. Visiting Australian clinical pharmacy academics have supported Sri Lankan colleagues to address the limited clinical training available in hospital and university settings with undergraduate teaching since 2009 and Train-the-trainer (TtT) programmes in 2010 and 2016. A workshop in 2018 identified gaps in the capacity to upskill existing hospital pharmacy staff and spread clinical teaching across all universities.

Programme description: In 2023, a 4-day TtT programme was attended by 20 pharmacists, nine academics from five universities and eleven hospital pharmacists. Learning outcomes included: demonstration of medication history taking, medication reconciliation, problem identification and resolution with interdisciplinary colleagues and patient education. A range of pedagogies (aligned with FIP Pharmacy Development Goals and Global Competency Framework) were used, including role plays, mock-wards, ward teaching, case-based-discussions, and entrustable-professional-activities.

Evaluation: Overall satisfaction with the programme was high and trainees perceived an increase in their clinical skills relevant to their roles. After 10-months, All described implementation of components of the TtT into their university courses or clinical pharmacy activities, with 50% taking on roles as local trainers.

Future plans: To enable trainees to facilitate sessions and participate in delivering future TtT programs; therefore, demonstrating sustainability.

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Published

25-06-2025

How to Cite

Coombes, I., Coombes, J., Knowles, H., Firman, P., Algama, Y., Van Der Vliet, T., Senadheera, S. G., Samhadi, Y., Samaranayake , N., & Wheeler , A. (2025). Train-the-trainer programme building clinical pharmacy workforce capacity in Sri Lanka: Design and evaluation. Pharmacy Education, 25(1), p. 407–421. https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2025.251.407421

Issue

Vol. 25 No. 1 (2025)

Section

Programme Description

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