Research

The GPhC is committed to using research evidence, where available, to help ensure efficient, effective regulation. It is a powerful tool that can be used for future planning and to identify where resources are most needed.

Education research

We commission research and other studies in pharmacy education. Research includes:

The Pharmacist Registration Examination (University of Manchester, 2010) which compares our registration assessment with assessments at the end of professional training periods in other healthcare professions in Great Britain.
Resitting assessments and competence (University of Manchester, 2010) which study explores the links between performance in the registration assessment and competence.
Fitness to practise issues and ethical dilemmas encountered by pre-registration trainees (University of Manchester, 2011) which contains ethical dilemmas and fitness to practise issues collected from schools of pharmacy and pre-registration training in Great Britain.
The assessment of observed practice (Keele University, 2011). This study identifies the strengths and weaknesses of particular approaches in workplace asessments.

Revalidation research and development programme

Background

In 2007, following publication of the White Paper ‘Trust, Assurance and Safety – The Regulation of Health Professionals in the 21st Century’ the RPSGB (when it had both professional and regulatory functions) established a short-term Revalidation Advisory Group (RAG) to run in parallel with the Department of Health’s (DH’s) Non-Medical Revalidation Working Group (NMRWG).　

The NMRWG was one of seven working groups established to take forward the recommendations in the 2007 White Paper and its final report, ‘Principles for Revalidation’ set out 12 high-level principles that regulatory bodies need to consider when preparing proposals for the revalidation of their professional groups.　

The RAG report, ‘A draft model for revalidation in pharmacy’ (available on request) comprised an analysis of different revalidation options and suggested various gaps in the knowledge base required to make informed choices for the implementation of revalidation in pharmacy. The report was submitted to the DH and in March 2009 the RPSGB was awarded a DH-grant to fund a revalidation research programme covering three related work streams:　

Work stream 1: risk within pharmacy practice (to inform the development of standards and processes for revalidation that are proportional to risk)　

Work stream 2: identification and evaluation of potential sources of evidence for revalidation, including employer appraisals and CPD records　

Work stream 3: Identification and evaluation of potential structures for the delivery of revalidation within pharmacy.　

A tendering exercise was undertaken and four research projects covering the three work streams were commissioned between July 2009 and February 2010. A Revalidation Research Programme Steering Committee was set up and assisted in assuring effective research governance arrangements for the research programme.

Research Findings

In September 2010, following demerger of the RPSGB, the programme of research initiated by the RPSGB was transferred to the General Pharmaceutical Council.

The revalidation research and development programme was completed in early 2011 and findings are available as follows:

Work stream 1 – Risk Assessment in Pharmacy Practice

Work stream 1 - Executive Summary 　[PDF opens new window, 28KB]

Work stream 1 - Final Report 　[PDF opens new window, 656KB]

Work stream 2 Project 1 – CPD records for revalidation: assessing fitness-to-practise using ‘revalidation standards’ and an Outcomes Framework

Work stream 2 Project 1 - Executive Summary 　[PDF opens new window, 410KB]

Work stream 2 Project 1 - Final Report 　[PDF opens new window, 3694KB] 　

Work stream 2 Project 2 – Evaluation of appraisal and alternative sources of evidence

Work stream 2 Project 2 - Executive Summary 　[PDF opens new window, 169KB]

Work stream 2 Project 2 - Final Report Volume 1 　[PDF opens new window, 591KB]

Work Stream 2 Project 2 - Final Report Volume 2 　[PDF opens new window, 920KB]

Work stream 3 – An exploration of options for the delivery of revalidation