Impacts on practice
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There is an opportunity for ESCP to harness the research activities, interest, experience, confidence and generally positive views to create greater impact for patients, professionals, organisations and society across Europe and beyond.
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ESCP as an organisation can provide support in the form of mentoring, education and training, focusing most on those form non-academic settings.
Introduction
Aim of the study
Ethics approval
Method
Design
Cross-sectional survey
Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Questionnaire development
Data collection
Analysis
ESCP symposium focus group
Recruitment
Data generation and analysis
Results
Cross-sectional survey
Demographics
Demographic | % (n) |
---|---|
Age (years) | |
21–30 | 13.3 (11) |
31–40 | 31.3 (26) |
41–50 | 26.5 (22) |
51–60 | 15.7 (13) |
> 60 | 13.3 (11) |
Gender | |
Female | 34.9 (29) |
Male | 65.1 (54) |
Country of practice | |
Switzerland | 13.3 (11) |
Netherlands | 10.8 (9) |
Norway | 7.2 (6) |
United Kingdom | 7.2 (6) |
Belgium | 6.0 (5) |
France | 6.0 (5) |
Germany | 6.0 (5) |
Italy | 4.8 (4) |
Malta | 3.6 (3) |
Portugal | 3.6 (3) |
Turkey | 3.6 (3) |
Greece | 2.4 (2) |
Serbia | 2.4 (2) |
Slovakia | 2.4 (2) |
Sweden | 2.4 (2) |
Albania, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, ‘EU’, Ireland, Spain | 9.6 (1 each) |
Asia | 8.4 (7) |
Africa | 1.2 (1) |
Years member of ESCP | |
≤ 5 | 55.4 (46) |
6–10 | 12.0 (10) |
11–15 | 13.3 (11) |
16–20 | 6.0 (5) |
21–25 | 7.2 (6) |
26–30 | 3.6 (3) |
> 30 | 2.4 (2) |
Main practice setting | |
Academia | 42.2 (35) |
University hospital | 22.9 (19) |
Non-university hospital | 14.5 (12) |
Community pharmacy | 7.2 (6) |
Industry | 1.2 (1) |
Primary care medical practice | 1.2 (1) |
Other | 10.8 (9) |
Years of working as pharmacist (excluding career breaks) | |
0 | 4.8 (4) |
1–5 | 18.1 (15) |
6–10 | 12.0 (10) |
11–15 | 18.1 (15) |
16–20 | 10.8 (9) |
21–25 | 18.1 (15) |
26–30 | 4.8 (4) |
> 30 | 13.3 (11) |
Working schedule | |
Full-time | 81.9 (68) |
Part-time | 9.6 (8) |
Other | 8.4 (11) |
Postgraduate qualifications | |
Ph.D. | 68.7 (57) |
Masters | 38.6 (32) |
Diploma | 21.7 (18) |
Certificate | 22.9 (19) |
Receptivity to change | |
Innovative with new ways of working (innovator) | 55.4 (46) |
Serve as role model for others (early adopter) | 16.9 (14) |
Think for some time before adopting new ways of working (early majority) | 26.5 (22) |
Cautious, tend to change once most peers have done so (late majority) | 0 |
Resist new ways of working (laggard) | 1.2 (1) |
Research involvement
Research interest, experience and confidence
Item | Interest % (n) | Experience % (n) | Confidence % (n) | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No interest | Little interest | Some interest | Moderate interest | Very interested | No experience | Little experience | Some experience | Moderate experience | Very experienced | No confidence | Little confidence | Some confidence | Moderate confidence | Very confident | |
Research advances within my field and in related areas | 0 | 3.6 (3) | 2.4 (2) | 13.3 (11) | 80.7 (67) | 4.8 (4) | 4.8 (4) | 15.7 (13) | 51.8 (43) | 22.9 (19) | 2.4 (2) | 4.8 (4) | 16.9 (14) | 45.8 (38) | 28.9 (24) |
Generating research ideas | 0 | 3.6 (3) | 15.7 (13) | 16.9 (14) | 63.9 (53) | 6.0 (5) | 1.2 (1) | 18.1 (15) | 42.2 (35) | 32.5 (27) | 0 | 10.8 (9) | 13.3 (11) | 47.0 (39) | 28.9 (24) |
Developing research questions, aims, hypotheses and objectives | 1.2 (1) | 7.2 (6) | 13.3 (11) | 19.3 (16) | 59.0 (49) | 4.8 (4) | 2.4 (2) | 18.1 (15) | 45.8 (38) | 28.9 (24) | 3.6 (3) | 4.8 (4) | 19.3 (16) | 44.6 (37) | 27.7 (23) |
Finding relevant literature | 1.2 (1) | 3.6 (3) | 16.9 (14) | 30.1 (25) | 48.2 (40) | 1.2 (1) | 4.8 (4) | 12.0 (10) | 42.2 (35) | 39.8 (33) | 0 | 7.2 (6) | 7.2 (6) | 51.8 (43) | 32.5 (27) |
Reviewing literature | 0 | 3.6 (3) | 25.3 (21) | 41.0 (34) | 30.1 (25) | 0 | 8.4 (7) | 21.7 (18) | 38.6 (32) | 31.1 (26) | 1.2 (1) | 7.2 (6) | 9.6 (8) | 44.6 (37) | 36.1 (30) |
Writing a research proposal | 1.2 (1) | 12.0 (10) | 15.7 (13) | 31.3 (26) | 39.8 (33) | 8.4 (7) | 6.0 (5) | 22.9 (19) | 43.4 (36) | 19.3 (16) | 6.0 (5) | 8.4 (7) | 16.9 (14) | 55.4 (46) | 13.3 (11) |
Conducting a systematic review | 4.8 (4) | 12.0 (10) | 25.3 (21) | 34.9 (29) | 22.9 (19) | 16.9 (14) | 22.9 (19) | 19.3 (16) | 28.9 (24) | 12.0 (10) | 7.2 (6) | 21.7 (18) | 20.5 (17) | 33.7 (28) | 15.7 (13) |
Using quantitative research methods (e.g. RCTs, cohort studies, surveys, questionnaires) | 1.2 (1) | 2.4 (2) | 16.9 (14) | 41.0 (34) | 38.6 (32) | 4.8 (4) | 12.0 (10) | 15.7 (13) | 48.2 (40) | 19.3 (16) | 1.2 (1) | 15.7 (13) | 15.7 (13) | 45.8 (38) | 20.5 (17) |
Using qualitative research methods (e.g. focus groups, interviews) | 3.6 (3) | 8.4 (7) | 15.7 (13) | 41.0 (34) | 31.3 (26) | 13.3 (11) | 14.5 (12) | 16.9 (14) | 37.3 (31) | 18.1 (15) | 6.0 (5) | 14.5 (12) | 26.5 (22) | 36.1 (30) | 16.9 (14) |
Analysing and interpreting quantitative results | 2.4 (2) | 3.6 (3) | 18.1 (15) | 36.1 (30) | 39.8 (33) | 6.0 (5) | 6.0 (5) | 16.9 (14) | 53.0 (44) | 18.1 (15) | 4.8 (4) | 10.8 (9) | 14.5 (12) | 48.2 (40) | 21.7 (18) |
Analysing and interpreting qualitative results | 1.2 (1) | 8.4 (7) | 22.9 (19) | 39.8 (33) | 27.7 (23) | 12.0 (10) | 12.0 (10) | 20.5 (17) | 42.2 (35) | 13.3 (11) | 7.2 (6) | 15.7 (13) | 24.1 (20) | 33.7 (28) | 18.1 (15) |
Giving an oral presentation in my practice setting | 1.2 (1) | 7.2 (6) | 16.9 (14) | 24.1 (20) | 50.6 (42) | 1.2 (1) | 3.6 (3) | 12.0 (10) | 30.1 (25) | 53.0 (44) | 0 | 6.0 (5) | 10.8 (9) | 28.9 (24) | 53.0 (44) |
Giving an oral presentation at national or international conference | 0 | 6.0 (5) | 14.5 (12) | 24.1 (20) | 55.4 (46) | 4.8 (4) | 12.0 (10) | 12.0 (10) | 27.7 (23) | 43.4 (36) | 2.4 (2) | 8.4 (7) | 10.8 (9) | 34.9 (29) | 43.4 (36) |
Writing and publishing research in academic journals | 2.4 (2) | 3.6 (3) | 12.0 (10) | 25.3 (21) | 56.6 (47) | 9.6 (8) | 7.2 (6) | 14.5 (12) | 43.4 (36) | 25.3 (21) | 4.8 (4) | 10.8 (9) | 12.0 (10) | 47.0 (39) | 24.1 (20) |
Reading and interpreting research | 1.2 (1) | 2.4 (2) | 18.1 (15) | 31.3 (26) | 47.0 (39) | 1.2 (1) | 6.0 (5) | 13.3 (11) | 51.8 (43) | 27.7 (23) | 1.2 (1) | 3.6 (3) | 18.1 (15) | 43.4 (36) | 32.5 (27) |
Applying the outcomes of research to your practice | 0 | 3.6 (3) | 6.0 (5) | 31.3 (26) | 59.0 (49) | 3.6 (3) | 8.4 (7) | 21.7 (18) | 45.8 (38) | 20.5 (17) | 1.2 (1) | 7.2 (6) | 27.7 (23) | 31.3 (26) | 32.5 (27) |
Scale statistics, sum of allocating 1 (no interest, experience, confidence) to 5 (very interested, experienced, confident) | Cronbach’s alpha 0.91 | Cronbach’s alpha 0.96 | Cronbach’s alpha 0.95 | ||||||||||||
Range possible 16–80 | Range possible 16–80 | Range possible 16–80 | |||||||||||||
Mid-point 48 | Mid-point 48 | Mid-point 48 | |||||||||||||
Median 68 | Median 62 | Median 64 | |||||||||||||
IQR 59–73 | IQR 53–70 | IQR 56–70 |
Research involvement
Statement | Strongly agree % (n) | Agree % (n) | Unsure % (n) | Disagree % (n) | Strongly disagree % (n) |
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Component 1: Support and opportunities to be involved in research | |||||
I work within a research-supportive environment | 26.5 (22) | 44.6 (37) | 15.7 (13) | 12.0 (10) | 1.2 (1) |
I work within a research-active environment | 30.1 (25) | 38.6 (32) | 14.5 (12) | 14.5 (12) | 2.4 (2) |
I am fully aware of the research priorities for my organization | 24.1 (20) | 48.2 (40) | 22.9 (19) | 3.6 (3) | 1.2 (1) |
Being involved in research is/would be supported by my organisation | 43.4 (36) | 36.1 (30) | 16.9 (14) | 3.6 (3) | 0 |
Being involved in research is/would be supported by my profession | 41.0 (34) | 43.4 (36) | 14.5 (12) | 1.2 (1) | 0 |
Being involved in research is/would be supported by my line manager | 36.1 (30) | 38.6 (32) | 18.1 (15) | 4.8 (4) | 2.4 (2) |
Being involved in research is/would be supported by my peers | 38.6 (32) | 36.1 (30) | 20.5 (17) | 4.8 (4) | 0 |
I am fully aware of training opportunities relating to research | 19.3 (16) | 43.4 (36) | 31.3 (26) | 4.8 (4) | 1.2 (1) |
I am fully aware of funding opportunities relating to research | 8.4 (7) | 36.1 (30) | 42.2 (35) | 12.0 (10) | 1.2 (1) |
I am fully aware of opportunities to be involved in research | 24.1 (20) | 54.2 (45) | 19.3 (16) | 0 | 2.4 (2) |
I have clear goals for being involved in research | 44.6 (37) | 39.8 (33) | 9.6 (8) | 4.8 (4) | 1.2 (1) |
Other pharmacists I know influence me to be involved in research | 22.9 (19) | 44.6 (37) | 15.7 (13) | 15.7 (13) | 1.2 (1) |
Other health professionals I know influence me to be involved in research | 22.9 (19) | 48.2 (40) | 16.9 (14) | 10.8 (9) | 1.2 (1) |
I have sufficient time to participate in research | 13.3 (11) | 31.3 (26) | 20.5 (17) | 22.9 (19) | 12.0 (10) |
I have access to all of the resources (e.g. statistical advice, software) I need to be involved in research | 20.5 (17) | 30.1 (25) | 25.3 (21) | 21.7 (18) | 2.4 (2) |
There are opportunities for me to attend research talks and seminars | 24.1 (20) | 56.6 (47) | 12.0 (10) | 7.2 (6) | 0 |
There are opportunities for me to attend national research conferences | 32.5 (27) | 47.0 (39) | 15.7 (13) | 4.8 (4) | 0 |
There are opportunities for me to attend international research conferences | 27.7 (23) | 50.6 (42) | 16.9 (14) | 4.8 (4) | 0 |
Component statistics, sum of allocating 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree) | |||||
Cronbach’s alpha 0.90 | |||||
Range possible 18–90, with 90 representing best positive attitudinal score | |||||
Mid-point 54 | |||||
Median 70 | |||||
IQR 61–77 | |||||
Component 2: Motivation for and outcomes of involvement in research | |||||
Being involved in research is/would be of benefit to my profession | 77.1 (64) | 21.7 (18) | 1.2 (1) | 0 | 0 |
Being involved in research is/would be of benefit to my career | 57.8 (48) | 31.3 (26) | 6.0 (5) | 3.6 (3) | 1.2 (1) |
Being involved in research is/would be of benefit to patients | 53.0 (44) | 36.1 (30) | 9.6 (8) | 0 | 0 |
Being involved in research is/would be of benefit to my organisation | 59.0 (49) | 32.5 (27) | 7.2 (6) | 0 | 0 |
Being involved in research is/would be of benefit to my professional practice | 63.9 (53) | 30.1 (25) | 4.8 (4) | 0 | 0 |
I get/would get professional satisfaction from being involved in research | 62.7 (52) | 32.5 (27) | 3.6 (3) | 1.2 (1) | 0 |
I am motivated to be involved in research | 60.2 (50) | 31.3 (26) | 6.0 (5) | 2.4 (2) | 0 |
Component statistics, sum of allocating 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree) | |||||
Cronbach’s alpha 0.86 | |||||
Range possible, 7–35 with 35 representing best positive attitudinal score | |||||
Mid-point 21 | |||||
Median 33 | |||||
IQR 29–35 | |||||
Component 3: Individual roles and characteristics around involvement in research | |||||
*Only academics should be involved in research | 2.4 (2) | 2.4 (2) | 2.4 (2) | 43.4 (36) | 48.2 (40) |
Being involved in research is already part of my professional role | 57.8 (48) | 33.7 (28) | 3.6 (3) | 3.6 (3) | 0 |
It is my professional duty to be involved in research | 57.8 (48) | 24.1 (20) | 13.3 (11) | 2.4 (2) | 2.4 (2) |
I have sufficient methodological knowledge to be involved in research | 33.7 (28) | 49.4 (41) | 14.5 (12) | 1.2 (1) | 1.2 (1) |
I am sufficiently skilled to be involved in research | 43.4 (36) | 44.6 (37) | 10.8 (9) | 1.2 (1) | 0 |
I am able to determine my own research-related training needs | 36.1 (30) | 50.6 (42) | 9.6 (8) | 3.6 (3) | 0 |
I am confident in my ability to participate in research | 47.0 (39) | 44.6 (37) | 8.4 (7) | 0 | 0 |
I am competent to be involved in research | 47.0 (39) | 44.6 (37) | 8.4 (7) | 0 | 0 |
*I feel anxious about being involved in research | 6.0 (5) | 14.5 (12) | 12.0 (10) | 41.0 (34) | 25.3 (21) |
I am enthusiastic about being involved in research | 57.8 (48) | 36.1 (30) | 3.6 (3) | 2.4 (2) | 0 |
Being involved in research makes/would make me feel happy | 48.2 (40) | 39.8 (33) | 12.0 (10) | 0 | 0 |
I support others to be involved in research | 57.8 (48) | 36.1 (30) | 6.0 (5) | 0 | 0 |
*Negative statement, reverse scored | |||||
Component statistics, sum of allocating 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree) | |||||
Cronbach’s alpha 0.82 | |||||
Range possible 12–60, with 60 representing best positive attitudinal score | |||||
Mid-point 36 | |||||
Median 52 | |||||
IQR 47–56 |
Component 1: Support and opportunities to be involved in research
Component 2: Motivation for and outcomes of involvement in research
Component 3: Individual roles and characteristics around involvement in research
Readiness to be involved in research
Basically motivated, but at the moment I lack in time for proper research.
Dedicated time, time and time!
Responses to how ESCP could support research involvement generated several themes, outlined in Table 4.Funding is very limited for the research in my country.
Theme | Illustrative quotes |
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Support through education and training | Offer relative, interactive and certified CPE workshops, seminars and/or events |
Develop online seminars about research topics/methods given by experts in the field | |
Organisation of high-level research training classes (also at Ph.D. and post-doc level) | |
Support collaboration through networks and mentoring | A specific forum to help people who are interested to meet each other |
Establish a network and bringing together persons with a similar research interest(s) | |
Opportunities for collaboration with colleagues having more experience or having experience in a complementary field | |
Facilitate international research cooperation. Make a database of persons and related research activities and possibilities to work together in a (pan)-European context | |
Support through dissemination of research tools | Curate a collection of research tools for clinical pharmacy (e.g. questionnaires, scales, documentation guides |
ESCP symposium discussion group
Barriers to research aspirations ESCP members
Themes | Subthemes |
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Insufficient collaboration | Limited opportunities to work across country borders |
Knowing who to collaborate with | |
Finding collaborators based in other countries | |
How to have different pharmacy sectors collaborating together | |
Lack of knowledge, skills and training | Need for training at all stages of research; development of ideas, data management, statistics, obtaining ethical approval, scientific writing and publication |
Lack of mentorship to enhance the development of advanced research skills | |
Lack of expertise to ensure no key methodological flaws | |
Difficulties in publishing if non-native English speaker | |
Unsupportive environment in practice | Unsupportive environment and lack of opportunities to participate in research |
Doing research on a hospital ward or community pharmacy where research is not a priority | |
Lack of support to take research to the ‘next step’ | |
Difficulty in getting acceptance from international journals due to ‘local data’ | |
How to deal with breaks in the scientific career (e.g. due to family) | |
Insufficient time | Due to current workload |
Too much work | |
How to maintain work life balance | |
Limited resources and funding opportunities | Not knowing where to access funding |
Identifying collaborators to develop funding applications with | |
Lack of support for financial planning in writing grant applications |
Expectations from ESCP
Themes | Subthemes |
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Mentorship | Early career expressed need for a mentor to provide support at all stages of the research process |
Could provide medium for mentoring support | |
Collaboration | Desire to collaborate internationally |
Promoted and supported by ESCP via encouraging international communication between researchers working in similar areas | |
Support links between main research centres and possible exchange programmes Discussion forums to connect researchers/collaborators | |
Promote research activities of ESCP members | |
Could integrate research into the special interest groups | |
Education | Desire for related tutorials or guidelines for research activities |
Organization of intensive courses by ESCP to make researchers more competent methodologically | |
Validated short education programs on research methodology for applying in different countries | |
Funding | To promote awareness of funding opportunities |
Collate funding opportunities, e.g. young researchers | |
Support to encourage/develop applications for the funding calls | |
Develop suite of templates e.g. proposal, consent, information leaflet | |
Publication | Practical sessions on writing for publication |
Support to write manuscripts that are more likely to be accepted in scientific journals |