Assessing Pharmacy Practitioners’ Perceptions of Continuing Pharmacy Education and Professional Development at an Oncology Service Hospital in Nepal: A Pilot Study

Figures & data

Table 1 Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Participants

Socio Demographic Characteristics	Number	Percentage
Age
Mean	25.67
Median	26.00
St. deviation	2.46
IQR (Q3-Q1)	26–24
Gender
Male	8	53.3
Female	7	46.7
Educational qualifications
Diploma in Pharmacy	6	40
Bachelor in Pharmacy	9	60
Working area
Inpatient Pharmacy	6	40
Outpatient Pharmacy	6	40
Store and Bulk	3	20
Current position
Assistant Pharmacist	11	73.3
Pharmacist	4	26.7
Working experience (in years)
Mean	2.85
Median	1.33
St. deviation	3.4
IQR (Q3-Q1)	(2.67–1)
Availability of computer/laptop in workplace/home
Yes	12	80
No	3	20
Have you ever attended CPE/CPD?
Yes	8	53.3
No	7	46.7

Table 2 Opinion of Participants Toward the CPE Program

Questions	Responses of Participants	Number of Responses from Participants (n) [N=15]	%
Topics need to be covered in continuing pharmacy education (CPE)/continuing professional development (CPD)	Related to recent innovations in Pharmacy Practice	11	73.3%
	Related to skills development	10	66.7%
	Related to regulatory requirements	4	26.7%
	Related to disease management	3	20%
	Other topics for CPE/CPD	1	6.7%
Methods suitable for CPE/CPD Program	Live in-person presentation method	10	66.7%
	Audio and video method	8	53.3%
	Printed materials/handout method	10	66.7%
	Small group discussion method	5	33.3%
	Online information	4	26.7%
Motivating factors for CPE/CPD	Improve knowledge/skills	9	60%
	Professional Competence	12	80%
	Keeping up to date with the latest information	6	40%
	Job satisfaction	4	26.7%
	Requirement for promotion	3	20%
	Assist various needs for patients	8	53.3%
	Curiosity about getting new scientific information	11	73.3%
Inhibiting factor for CPE/CPD	Lack of time	9	60%
	Uninteresting topics	6	40%
	Poor quality and method of CE delivery	11	73.3%
	Cost	3	20%
	Conflict of interest	5	33.3%
Preferred length of CPE/CPD	3 hours	10	66.7%
	6 hours	5	33.3%
Method for evaluating the effectiveness of CPE/CPD	Practical exam	9	60%
	Written exam	6	40%
	Face-to-face interview	10	66.7%
	Feedback	7	46.7%

Table 3 Suggestions of Participants for Improving the CPE/CPD Program

Suggestions from Participants	Number of Responses from Participants (n)[N=15]	%
Compulsory CPD Programs	9	60%
Conduction of such CPE/CPD regular basis (Monthly)	8	53.3%
Qualified International and national resource persons for CPE/CPD	6	40%
Allocation of time for CPE/CPD Program	6	40%
Accessibility of group learning activities (location/distance)	4	26.7%
Cost should be free	4	26.7%
Related to adverse drug reaction management	3	20%
Include interesting topics	3	20%
Motivation from hospital management	3	20%
More training on Chemotherapy agents especially Immunotherapy	2	4%
Practical based	2	4%

Table 4 Perception of Areas Included in CPE Content

Areas to be Included		Number of Responses from Participants (n)[N=15]	%
Pharmacy skills	Medication management	13	86.7%
	Good dispensing practice	14	93.3%
	Pharmacovigilance and adverse drug reactions	6	40%
	Emergency drug management	6	40%
Cancer diseases (trends, progression and new methods of management)		12	80%
Pharmacy leadership and management		10	66.7%
Communication skills		10	66.7%
Clinical research methodology		1	6.7%