Recent updates from the BNF (BNF 82)

The BNF is jointly published by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and BMJ. BNF is published in print twice a year and interim updates are issued and published monthly in the digital versions. The following summary provides a brief description of some recent key changes that have been made to BNF content.

Mental health curricula and Mental Health First Aid in the MPharm

Introduction Improving mental health care is an international priority, and one that is championed by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. (1) In the course of their work, pharmacists frequently encounter people with mental health problems. The extent to which mental health is taught on the undergraduate pharmacy degree in the UK and Ireland, and the inclusion of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training, has not be described recently. Aim We aimed to determine how mental health teaching is embedded into the MPharm and students’ perception of their own preparedness to help people with their mental health. We explored if and how MHFA training is included, and students’ experience of, or desire to complete this. Methods We conducted an anonymous, online questionnaire of UK and Ireland MPharm students, distributed via networks and social media. Students were asked a series of closed questions about mental health teaching in the MPharm, and exposure to MHFA. We analysed answers using descriptive statistics. We included some open-ended questions to enable students to expand on their answers. We used this qualitative data to contextualize findings. We invited one member of staff from each university to answer a modified staff version of the questionnaire, in order to provide a curriculum overview and staff perspective on MHFA provision. Results 232 students and 13 staff responded, from 22 universities in total. Eighty percent of student participants were female and 70% were in the third or final year of study. Three-quarters of students felt that mental health was not embedded throughout the MPharm. Eighty-percent of students stated that they were taught about neuropharmacology and 44.8% stated that their course included communicating with people about their mental health. One third of students felt that their degree adequately prepared them to help people with their mental health. Twenty-six students (11.6%) had completed MHFA training of which 89% would endorse inclusion of this within the MPharm. Of those who had not completed the training, 81% expressed a desire to do so. Those who completed MHFA training self-reported more preparedness than those who did not, but student numbers were small. Conclusion Mental health teaching remains focused on theoretical aspects, such as pharmacology, with less emphasis on practical skills, such as communication skills that might support interactions about mental health. MHFA was viewed by students as one way to enhance this. Of the small number of students who had completed MHFA, they displayed an increased self-reported preparedness. This could, however, be linked to the environmental culture of the programme rather than the training per se. MPharm programmes need sufficient focus on skills including communication and crisis response that may be required by pharmacists, alongside the fundamental scientific knowledge relating to mental health. References 1. Royal Pharmaceutical Society. No health without mental health: How can pharmacy support people with mental health problems? London: RPS; 2018.

Recent updates from the BNF (BNF 81)

The BNF is jointly published by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and BMJ. BNF is published in print twice a year and interim updates are issued and published monthly in the digital versions. The following summary provides a brief description of some of the key changes that have been made to BNF content since the last print edition (BNF 80) was published.

Recent updates from the BNF (BNF 80)

The BNF is jointly published by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and BMJ. BNF is published in print twice a year and interim updates are issued and published monthly in the digital versions. The following summary provides a brief description of some recent key changes that have been made to BNF content.

A qualitative evaluation of a prescribing e-learning package for general practice

BackgroundThe GMC PRACtiCe study identified a 1 in 20 error rate in prescriptions issued in general practice and identified a need for further training in prescribing. As a result, an e-Learning prescribing package was designed and launched to healthcare professionals through the Royal College of General Practitioners in January 2014.AimThis part of the study explored the longer-term impact on prescribing knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of practitioners completing the eLearning prescribing package.MethodOn completion of the e-Learning package, participants were asked to indicate their willingness to be contacted for a telephone interview. Semi-structured interviews were conducted which were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis, aided by NVivo. Interviewees were invited to enter a prize draw to win Stockley’s Drug Interaction textbook (provided courtesy of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society).ResultsOf the 120 participants who expressed an interest in being followed up for interview, seven prescribers were interviewed in 2014 and 2015. Reasons for completing the course were explored, and interviewees gave examples of changes made to their prescribing practice as a result of completing the e-Learning. This included the adoption of specific strategies to enhance safe practice, and enacting enhanced vigilance in key areas such as renal function monitoring. Some changes to the course content and presentation were also recommended.ConclusionThese interviews have highlighted the potential for using e-Learning for prescribing training and to achieve long-term changes in prescribing practice. However, further work is needed to generate substantive evidence of its impact on prescribing.

Developing a competency framework for designated prescribing practitioners

In 2019, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society published a Competency Framework for Designated Prescribing Practitioners to support the implementation of regulatory changes and underpin quality in training of non-medical prescribers during the period of learning in practice. This article takes a look at the need for, development, scope and content of the framework, and considers its implementation in practice. The framework has been developed to support quality in training during the period of learning in practice. It is designed for use by a broad range of user groups across different professions and settings, as such, some contextualisation of the content is needed and there will be local variation in how it is used in practice.

Recent updates from the BNF

The BNF is jointly published by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and BMJ. BNF is published in print twice a year and interim updates are issued and published monthly in the digital versions. The following summary provides a brief description of some recent key changes that have been made to BNF content.

Responsible prescribing for cosmetic procedures

This article describes the context and challenges that relate to prescribing in the non-surgical aesthetic sector and sets out the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners position regarding responsible prescribing of prescription-only medicines used in aesthetic practice. The guidance lines up with that set down by the majority of the professional healthcare regulators and by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. With regard to delegated prescribing, prescribers are reminded that patients remain under the oversight of the prescriber, requiring them to be familiar with the patient through an initial face-to-face consultation and diagnostic assessment of the patient's suitability for treatment. This applies to the routine/planned/repeat administration of medicines that are used specifically for cosmetic purposes, such as botulinum toxins, injected local anaesthetic or topical adrenaline, and the emergency use of medicines, such as hyaluronidase. Prescribers are also reminded of their obligation to address the existence of competing interests and to place the needs of the patient first, being transparent about their actions. Readers are also directed to relevant legislation and professional guidance that is applicable to the sector.