National Medicines Information Training Course

National Medicines Information Training Course

Briefing Paper

Introduction

The National Medicines Information Training Course (NMITC) is an intensive 3-day residential training course designed for pharmacy practitioners working as specialists in UK-based Medicines Information (MI) services. The NMITC will equip participants with the knowledge and skills required to provide and develop MI services, and is a suitable resource for staff who have completed (or are near completion) of their early, or foundation years, of career development.

The NMITC is run by experienced UKMi specialists every 9 months, and involves lectures, workshops, demonstrations and practical exercises. It provides an excellent opportunity for participants to network with MI colleagues from across the UK. Please see the current programme for full details of the course topics at http://www.ukmi.nhs.uk/activities/manpowerTraining/default.asp?pageRef=10.

The NMITC acknowledges the usefulness of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Advanced Pharmacy Framework (APF) (developed from the Advanced to Consultant Level Framework (ACLF)) as a professional development framework applicable to all pharmacy practitioners across Great Britain. For further information on the APF please visit http://www.rpharms.com/faculty-resources/advanced-pharmacy-framework.asp.

The NMITC supports practitioners to develop advanced level practice in MI and several areas of the APF. The knowledge and skills gained through attendance at the NMITC are essential for practitioners wishing to become advanced practitioners in MI and recognised leaders of MI locally. Consequently, all newly appointed local MI managers are required to attend the NMITC within 6 months of starting their post (as per UKMi standards). Attendees are required to have a permanent role in MI and also be actively involved in building their professional portfolios.

Entry requirements

All NMITC applicants must have access to and be familiar with both the UKMi Workbook and the Medicines Information Computer Aided Learning (MiCAL) programme which are considered essential foundation learning tools.

Application requirements

The course administrator will notify all UKMI Directors (or their nominated deputy) when the course nomination process is open. The regional MI centres will then communicate this to local MI service leads in their region via email or post (a template letter will be available for regional MI centre use on www.ukmi.nhs.uk to this effect).

Attendees must complete a nomination form and learning agreement which is then co-signed by their line manager and submitted to their regional MI centre. Application to the NMITC does not guarantee a place on the course. Successful applicants will be notified by the course administrator in writing and requested to complete the pre-course checklist. Sufficient notice will be given to allow this to be completed in time for course.

Any enquiries regarding course entry or application can be directed to the course administrator (Sandra Wharton; or generic email in her absence).

The NMITC programme Learning Outcomes

v Discuss UKMi strategy and MI’s role in the current NHS.
v Develop and demonstrate the skills needed to search literature databases effectively, in particular Medline and EMBASE (NHS Evidence platform used – skills are transferable).
v Assist in identifying and dealing with legal and ethical problems that may be encountered in MI.
v Discuss UKMi standards and peer review an enquiry and provide feedback.
v Develop networking skills and practice sharing through sessions such as enquiry sharing.
v Identify and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of a range of databases and websites included in UKMi Essential Resources list.
v Undertake effective searches of commonly used databases and websites
OR
v Develop and promote an MI service (including identifying how service evaluation or research could be used and developed in this context).
v Discuss the factors involved when developing a chemical entity into a marketed medicine.
v Identify key components of clinical trial design and apply these to a critical appraisal of the literature
v Discuss the value of using the Advanced Pharmacy Framework and GPhC CPD entries to develop their professional practice, and that of their staff (latter is required of all registered pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in GB)

Course content mapped to professional development framework

The following clusters are suggested for this course based upon the RPS Advanced Pharmacy Framework (APF):

NMITC Session / Example APF Clusters
UKMi – today & the future / Leadership, Management
Searching literature databases (Medline & Embase) and workshop / Management, Research & Evaluation, Collaborative Working Relationships
Legal and ethical , and workshop / Expert Professional Practice, Collaborative Working Relationships, Management
Clinical Governance within MI, and workshop / Expert Professional Practice, Leadership, Management, Collaborative Working Relationships
Enquiry peer review workshop / Expert Professional Practice, Collaborative Working Relationships, Management
MI websites and workshop / Management, Collaborative Working Relationships
Developing and promoting your MI service – touching on research in MI and workshop / Expert Professional Practice, Leadership, Management, Research & Evaluation, Collaborative Working Relationships
From lab to market / Collaborative Working Relationships
Critical appraisal and workshop / Research & Evaluation, Collaborative Working Relationships, Management

Please note that the course organisers will provide the venue (including break out rooms), accommodation, meals, tutors and facilitators, and IT facilities as inclusive of the course fee.

Post course

All attendees will receive a certificate of attendance on completion of the course (including completion of course feedback).

Attendees are encouraged to reflect on their role and MI service after attending the course to identify areas that excel or require additional input to meet UKMi service standards.

MI Technicians should complete the accreditation process.

On completion of the course, if you are interested in assisting with future courses as a tutor or facilitator, please email to register your interest with the UKMi Workforce and Development working group.

Briefing paper updated March 2014 on behalf of the UKMi Workforce and Development Group.