5.8 Registration assessment framework
The registration assessment framework explains what we are testing in the registration assessment. You can download a PDF copy of the framework here.
The registration assessment tests some, but not all, of the learning outcomes set out in Future pharmacists: standards for initial education and training of pharmacists. The other outcomes will be tested as part of your MPharm degree and pre-registration training placement - some may be tested in more than one way.
In the framework, each of the learning outcomes tested by the registration assessment has been linked to ‘indicative assessment topics’. This will help you better understand how learning outcomes are applied.
The assessment topics give an idea of what will be tested – there will be other topics included in an assessment paper. Pharmacy is a very broad subject, so it is not realistic to provide a framework that covers every topic in detail.
You can find out more about the framework in our YouTube video presentation.
To help you understand the relative importance of each outcome to the registration assessment, we have given them a weighting of high, medium or low:
Outcome weightings
Proportion of questions |
|
high weighting |
60% to 70% |
medium weighting |
25% to 35% |
low weighting |
up to 10% |
5.9 Registration assessment outcomes
10.1 Expectations of a pharmacy professional |
||
Future pharmacists outcome |
Indicative assessment topics |
|
Low |
Recognise the duty to take action if a colleague’s health, performance or conduct is putting patients or the public at risk |
|
Low |
Apply the principles of clinical governance in practice |
|
Low |
Demonstrate how the science of pharmacy is applied in designing and developing medicines and devices |
|
Medium |
Respond appropriately to medical emergencies, including providing first aid |
|
10.2 |
The skills required in practice |
|
10.2.1 |
Implementing health policy |
|
Future pharmacists outcome |
Indicative assessment topics |
|
High |
Access and critically evaluate evidence to support the safe, rational and cost-effective use of medicines |
|
Medium |
Apply knowledge of current pharmacy-related policy to improve health outcomes |
|
10.2.2 |
Validating therapeutic approaches and supplying prescribed and over-the-counter medicines |
|
Future pharmacists outcome |
Indicative assessment topics |
|
High |
Identify and employ the appropriate diagnostic or physiological testing techniques in order to promote health |
|
Medium |
Identify inappropriate health behaviours and recommend suitable approaches to interventions |
|
High |
Instruct patients in the safe and effective use of their medicines and devices |
|
Medium |
Analyse prescriptions for validity and clarity |
|
High |
Clinically evaluate the appropriateness of prescribed medicines |
|
High |
Provide, monitor and modify prescribed treatment to maximise health outcomes |
|
Low |
Record, maintain and store patient data |
|
Med |
Supply medicines safely and efficiently, consistently within legal requirements and best professional practice. NB: This should be demonstrated for both human and veterinary medicines |
|
10.2.3 |
Ensuring that safe and effective systems are in place to manage the risk inherent in the practice of pharmacy and the delivery of pharmaceutical services |
|
Future pharmacists outcome |
Indicative assessment topics |
|
Low |
Ensure the quality of ingredients to produce medicines and products |
|
Med |
Apply pharmaceutical principles to the formulation, preparation and packaging of products |
|
High (Part 1) |
Use pharmaceutical calculations to verify the safety of doses and administration rates |
|
Low |
Procure and store medicines and other pharmaceutical products working within a quality assurance framework |
|
Low |
Dispose of medicines safely, legally and effectively |
|
Low |
Identify, report and prevent errors and unsafe practice |
|
10.2.4 |
Working with patients and the public |
|
Future pharmacists outcome |
Indicative assessment topics |
|
High |
Identify and employ the appropriate diagnostic or physiological testing techniques to use in clinical decision-making |
|
10.2.5 |
Maintaining and improving professional performance |
|
Future pharmacists outcome |
Indicative assessment topics |
|
Low |
Demonstrate the characteristics of a prospective professional pharmacist as set out in relevant codes of conduct and behaviour |
|
Low |
Participate in audit and in implementing recommendations |
|
Low |
Contribute to the development and support of individuals and teams |
|
Therapeutic areas
Questions in part two that relate to clinical care are linked to key therapeutic areas. An individual question may link to multiple therapeutic areas: for example, a patient may be described who has hypertension and type 2 diabetes. The weighting given to individual therapeutic areas is shown in the table below.
Therapeutic area |
Weighting |
Cardiovascular system |
High |
Nervous system |
High |
Endocrine system |
High |
Infection |
High |
Genito-urinary tract system |
Medium |
Gastro-intestinal system |
Medium |
Respiratory system |
Medium |
Immune system and malignant disease |
Medium |
Blood and nutrition |
Medium |
Musculoskeletal system |
Low |
Eye |
Low |
Ear, nose, and oropharynx |
Low |
Skin |
Low |
Vaccines |
Low |
Anaesthesia |
Low |
High-risk drugs
Each assessment is likely to include at least one question on each of the following drugs or drug groups:
- antibiotics
- anticoagulants
- antihypertensives
- chemotherapy
- insulins
- antidiabetic drugs
- drugs with a narrow therapeutic index
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- methotrexate
- opiates
- parenteral drugs
- valproate
Paediatrics
Around 20 per cent of questions in the assessment will relate to paediatric patients.
Calculations
Each assessment is likely to include at least one calculation question involving each of the following in part 1:
- doses and dose regimens
- dosage and unit conversions
- estimations of kidney function
- displacement volumes and values
- concentrations (e.g. expressed as w/v, % or 1 in x)
- dilutions
- molecular weight
- using provided formulae
- infusion rates
- pharmacokinetics
- health economics
- quantities to supply
Some questions in part 2 will require some calculation.
Additional resources
Additional resources are provided for up to 25% of questions in part 1 and part 2 of the registration assessment. Examples of additional resources include photographs and dosing information.