We are pleased to announce that two projects are the recipients of the CW Young funding opportunity 2023.

The fund, which is managed by Pharmacy Forum NI, aims to support research and education projects that will promote and advance pharmacy for the public benefit in Northern Ireland.

The first project is managed by Dr Sharon Haughey and Ms Fiona Hughes of Queen’s University Belfast, and is entitled,

Exploring Experiential Learning in an updated MPharm programme.

This research intends to gain from participants data regarding, but not limited to, their opinions on experiential learning (EL) and how this should be supported, particularly in relation to the use of Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) to facilitate reflective discussion and learning.

Its objectives are:

  • To pilot EPAs in a community pharmacy EL environment to gain feedback on using them to facilitate learning in practice
  • To explore pharmacist views on the pharmacist supervisor (PS) role to learn what future support they need
  • To understand trainee views on EPAs and what support, in their opinion, is needed for PS to fulfil their teaching role

The project was awarded £2,500

The second project is managed by Dr Aaron John Courtenay and Dr Deborah Lowry of Ulster University, and Dr Oisín Kavanagh or Newcastle University.

Their project is entitled, Valuing Community Pharmacy Services in Northern Ireland – Remote Provision of Care. 

Following the success of the “MeDeSin NI Study” Parts 1 & 2 funded by CW Young in 2021 and 2022, this work has raised significant insight into the provision of care and services within the community pharmacy sector in Northern Ireland.

Research described in MeDeSin Part 2 continues, gathering data on service provision in the sector. Part 3 will focus on the views and considerations of digital technologies to enhance pharmaceutical care in the community sector in Northern Ireland.

The researchers aim to explore the provision of wrap around pharmaceutical care in the community following the outcomes of the MeDeSin NI study Part 2 (2022). They will develop educational frameworks for practice sharing and explore telehealth and support services in community pharmacy.

Congratulations to all our awardees.