Focused Practice Reviews: Help Us Build a Better Program

A shift to assessing knowledge application in real time
This proposed new system is fundamentally different from the KA exam that it will replace as it will assess the application of knowledge in real time rather than in a simulated exam question.

Knowledge is obviously essential as a basis for practice. Good practice happens when that knowledge is effectively paired with other skills and abilities to deliver safe, effective, patient-centered care that delivers better health outcomes for our patients. This application of knowledge can only truly be measured and evaluated through direct observation by registered practitioners trained in evaluation.

This proposed new system will therefore utilize both observation and assessment to ensure that:

Pharmacies or pharmacy premises meet legislated requirements
Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are appropriately applying their knowledge, skills and abilities to provide safe healthcare and improve patient outcomes

The proposed assessment options utilize a redefined inspection process that will enhance accountability and public safety.

We need your help
The College sent out an email in mid-December inviting pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to respond to a few questions regarding the new focused practice review system and how it might be applied to practices like yours. Those that participated in the exercise will soon receive an invitation to review the comments that we received (with names removed) and then determine which ones they feel to be the most important or critical.

Your input is critical to building a focused practice review program
The College has never before involved pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in quite this way in the development of a new program. The information that will be collected will help the Quality Assurance Committee (QAC) design a final program that reviews your practice, in your practice environment, and in real time. For those of you with unique types of practice, this process helps us build a program that can review your practice as well. This is only the first of many steps, and we thank you for your time and input.

Focused Practice Reviews: reviewing your practice in specific focus areas

Currently, all pharmacists and pharmacy technicians must successfully complete an assessment every ten years. While the KA utilizes an exam format to assess knowledge based on hypothetical cases, the proposed focused practice review assesses the application of knowledge in real time, on site in your actual practice.

The focused practice review will look at a number of focus areas that are relevant to practices like yours. Focus areas are critical standards of practice identified by the Board as requiring review on a province-wide basis. They are established after careful consideration of available information, and ongoing consultation with both the profession and of other stakeholders. For example, focus areas for community pharmacy practice could be:

Patient Identification Verification
PharmaNet Profile Check
Counseling
Documentation

Onsite practice reviews are a valuable form of peer assessment and are designed to determine whether or not a pharmacist or pharmacy technician meets the BC standards of practice. Following the focused practice review process, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians receive constructive feedback based on the standards of practice identifying areas of strength and opportunities for improvement that may potentially require follow up.

Although the practice review is focused on critical standards of practice, the reviewer is responsible for recording any other deficiencies or practice concerns identified during the inspection for further follow up by a Peer Review Committee, consisting of external peers that may include: