Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Icelandic community pharmacists' and pharmacy students' expectations of future role extensions and education requirements: a cross sectional survey.

Weidmann, Anita Elaine; Gu�bj�rnsd�ttir, Unnur Karen; Gunnarsd�ttir, Anna Ingibj�rg; Gunnarsson, P�tur; J�nsd�ttir, Freyja

Authors

Anita Elaine Weidmann

Unnur Karen Gu�bj�rnsd�ttir

Anna Ingibj�rg Gunnarsd�ttir

P�tur Gunnarsson

Freyja J�nsd�ttir



Abstract

Aim: To explore the expectations of Icelandic community pharmacists and final year pharmacy students on future role extensions and associated education needs. Methods: All community pharmacists across Iceland registered with the Pharmaceutical Society of Iceland (LFI) (n=136) and all fourth- and fifth-year pharmacy students enrolled at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Iceland (n=69). An online cross-sectional questionnaire was designed, validated, piloted and analysed using descriptive statistics, logistic regression and content analysis. Results: The response rate was 27.9% (n=38) for community pharmacists and 33.3% (n=23) for fourth- and fifth-year pharmacy students respectively. Of these, 90.2% (n=55) saw the need for community pharmacists’ role extensions and most (n=60, 98.4%) were willing to accept additional education to make role extensions in Iceland possible. Logistic regression identified that students identified the need for pharmacists to be making prescribing recommendations to medical healthcare professionals (p=0.023); for example 'Pharmacists should use their knowledge to give advice and collaborate with physicians and other healthcare professionals about drug therapies'. Conclusion: Both community pharmacists and pharmacy students showed a strong willingness to extend their roles in the future. It will require government support to overcome perceived barriers and to develop further education programmes.

Citation

WEIDMANN, A.E., GUÐBJÖRNSDÓTTIR, U.K., GUNNARSDOTTIR, A.I., GUNNARSSON, P. and JÓNSDÓTTIR, F. 2021. Icelandic community pharmacists and pharmacy students expectations of future role extensions and education requirements: a cross sectional survey. Pharmacy education [online], 21, pages 83-91. Available from: https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2021.211.8391

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jun 8, 2021
Online Publication Date Jun 10, 2021
Publication Date Apr 6, 2021
Deposit Date Jul 2, 2021
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Pharmacy education
Print ISSN 1560-2214
Electronic ISSN 1477-2701
Publisher FIP International Pharmaceutical Federation
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 21
Pages 83-91
DOI https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2021.211.8391
Keywords Iceland; Community pharmacy; Education; Training; Role extension
Public URL https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1358172