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A survey of UK critical care pharmacists research involvement and associated barriers

Published Date: 15th August 2022

Publication Authors: Barton G

Introduction
Pharmacist led research provides evidence of impact of safe, effective and economic advanced pharmaceutical care in critical care medicine. Examples include impact of extracorporeal therapies on drug handling1; sedation delirium management2; medication safety3 and broader pharmacist interventions.4 The New Zealand Hospital Pharmacist Association (NZPHA), Society of Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) and Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) all identify research as an essential domain for critical care pharmacist (CCP) accreditation. In addition, the UK Critical Care Research Group includes a pharmacist representative. Despite these recommendations, the experience and access to research of CCP in the UK remains unknown. This study sought to describe the research experience of UK CCP along with perceived or actual barriers to CCP engagement with research.

Aim
To capture barriers, facilitators and research experience of the UK CCP.

Methods
An electronic survey (Survey Monkey ®.) was designed,5 piloted and revised by investigators. It was distributed to subscribers to the UK Clinical Pharmacy Association Critical Care, pharmacist message board. Participants provided:

  1. Demographic data
  2. Their research activity and output in 2 years preceding the survey;
  3. Statements of perceived barriers
  4. Indicated research roles/ activities they would like to participate in. The study did not require ethical approval. Quantitative data were collected and analysed using Microsoft Excel ®.


Results
Between 30 January and 13 March 2020 we received a 24.0% response rate (n= 61/254), most respondents were located in England (n = 51, 83.6%), they all had more than 5 years critical care experience. All respondents possessed a post graduate qualification with 42.6% (n=26) having at least one post graduate research degree. Fifty respondents (81.9%) indicated involvement in research as chief (n=3) or principal investigator (n=10); pharmacy researcher (either local /regional) service evaluation/ clinical audit /Quality Improvement Project (n=16) or in multicentre studies (n=4). The remaining (n=11, 18.0%) respondents reported no involvement in research activities. Most respondents had no allocated time for research in their current role (n=54, 88.5%). Lack of protected time was identified as the most common barrier to research activity (n=50). Fifteen CCP reported 42 publications in peer reviewed journals and conference abstracts.

Discussion
As far as we are aware this is the first report on UK CCP research activity. An encouraging number reported a research qualification and involvement, (including) leading research activities despite reporting not having allocated time for research activities. Low response rates to this survey limits generalisability of the findings and as such further studies are warranted. Future work should focus on both engaging junior pharmacists and establishing research output metrics including peer reviewed publication and funding awards.

 

Gondongwe, XD; Wan, R; Barton, G; McKenzie, C; Borthwick, M. (2022). A survey of UK critical care pharmacists research involvement and associated barriers. Journal of the Intensive Care Society. 23(Suppl 1), pp.88-89. [Online]. Available at: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/17511437221095122 [Accessed 29 September 2022]

 

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