EAHP launches open learning environment for hospital pharmacists

The EAHP has launched a new educational module for the further development of the hospital pharmacy profession within Europe in order to ensure the continuous improvement of care and outcomes for patients in the hospital setting. The new open learning module aims at improving the applied knowledge and problem-solving skills of hospital pharmacists, with the first edition focusing on anticoagulants. The learning material is offered to hospital pharmacists in collaboration with BMJ Learning.

The first open learning module of EAHP—Anticoagulants—show me the evidence!—will provide hospital pharmacists with information on new anticoagulant drug developments. Specific emphasis will be put on the differences in pharmacokinetics, efficacy, safety between newer anticoagulant drugs and warfarin. Through training on optimal oral anticoagulant therapy, participants of the online course will be enabled to better educate patients about their drugs and the importance of adhering to their anticoagulant therapy.

The Open Learning Course on anticoagulants shows recordings of a Synergy satellite event held at the 2017 Congress of the EAHP. The event was supported by means of an unrestricted educational grant from Bayer. The EAHP Scientific Committee developed the educational programme of the satellite event totally independent of industry involvement.

The EAHP is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. Participants of the 2-hour Open Learning Course on anticoagulants will be entitled to two ACPE credits. These credits can be obtained after the completion of the course and a short survey.

In the future, the EAHP plans on expanding its open learning offer through the inclusion of additional synergy satellite sessions. Like the anticoagulants session, all other open learning courses will be linked to the different Sections of the European Statements of Hospital Pharmacists.

The EAHP–EPSA internship platform—help students learn more about hospital pharmacy!

The EAHP is collaborating with the European Pharmaceutical Students’ Association (EPSA) on many different areas. The aim of the collaboration between the two associations is to familiarise students with the hospital pharmacy profession. One of the three projects that the associations cooperate on is the EAHP–EPSA Internship Platform. Through the platform, students and young professionals are given the opportunity to intern in hospital pharmacies around Europe for a period up to 3 months.

EAHP liaised with EPSA in 2012 to establish the platform. The first students found their internships in the same year. The project has been developing since, with the official name being adopted in 2016. Currently, interested candidates can apply for internships in 21 different hospitals located in eight European countries. Gaining international experience and being provided with the opportunity to learn from one another by exchanging good practices, encouraged 24 students in 2017 to apply for an internship through the platform.

The feedback from both hospital pharmacies and applicants has been excellent so far. Motivated by students, such as Nataša from Serbia who interned in Spain in 2016, both EAHP and EPSA are fiercely working on the enlargement of the platform. Begin asked about her experience Nataša reported: ‘During my 2-month-long internship I rotated through different areas of hospital pharmacy—from dispensing, TDM and parenteral nutrition design to clinical trials, oncology and external patients. In every area, there was a pharmacist guiding me. As a person who wants to dedicate herself to clinical pharmacy, I find this experience very valuable. I am especially satisfied with my improvement in oncology area. Generally, I now understand how the hospital pharmacy should work. In addition, I met new friends and made valuable contacts—it was a great networking opportunity!’.

Feedback from students like Nataša confirms that ‘pharmacists in training’ are very excited about these kinds of opportunities. It gives them the possibly to explore and learn about different areas of hospital pharmacy, and at the same time provides them with the opportunity to visit another country with a different healthcare system and work environment.

With the number of interested students rising steadily over the past years, the 21 hospital pharmacies currently enrolled in the programme will soon not be enough. To enable more curious pharmacy students to gain the same experience as Nataša, EAHP is seeking additional hospital pharmacies interested in joining the Internship Platform. If you are interested in hosting an intern contact intern@eahp.eu

European statements: leadership training for implementation ambassadors and SILCC/SAT launch

The first EAHP leadership training for implementation ambassadors was held in Brussels on 27 January and was facilitated by Kayhill Management Consultancy. Participants included implementation ambassadors from 26 different EAHP member countries as well as the EAHP Board.

The network of implementation ambassadors, in collaboration with National Member Associations of EAHP, are key for moving towards Statement implementation within EAHP member countries. The training consisted of an interactive session where ambassadors were able to learn and practice some of the skills needed to be effective when influencing, communicating and engaging stakeholders. Implementation ambassadors also worked on developing relevant negotiation and influencing skills for approaching national authorities.

The training described the theory and demonstrated the practical application of tools used for leading large-scale change in complex environments. It also helped ambassadors to demonstrate

• Practical knowledge of effective stakeholder engagement.

• Knowledge and application of negotiation & influencing.

• Knowledge and application of building ambition and purpose to accelerate change. Implementation ambassadors learnt relevant negotiation and influencing skills for approaching national authorities and other relevant stakeholders.

During the 23rd EAHP Congress in Gothenburg, Sweden (21–23 March 2018), the EAHP launched the online self-assessment tool (SAT) for hospital pharmacists and the statement implementation learning collaborative centres (SILCC) programme. Both tools were developed in collaboration with national associations as well as our network of national implementation ambassadors, with the aim of moving towards the implementation of the European Statements of Hospital Pharmacy.

The SAT is an online tool allowing hospital pharmacists to assess the level of implementation of the European Statements within their hospitals. It also provides hospital pharmacists and other healthcare professionals with the opportunity to evaluate the state of their hospitals, compare themselves with other hospitals around Europe and access a tailor-made action plan, with a broad range of evidence-based resources.

The SILCC programme will allow hospital pharmacists to visit hospitals from other member countries while learning pharmacy procedures linked to the European Statements. EAHP is offering a reward system for SILCC Hosts (hospitals providing training) and limited financial help for SILCC Fellows (hospital pharmacists receiving the training).