Objectives: To develop an intervention for educating pharmacists
(community and hospital) about integrated care and their role in implementing
it.
Methods: We developed a sequential simulation derived from a patient’s
journey, the key scenario featuring a community pharmacist. The scenarios
were designed with input from pharmacists and patients, and emphasized the
effect operating in silos can have on the patient.
Evaluation: Evaluation was by questionnaire, field notes and analysis of
video material. 21/37 (56.7%) participants responded to the questionnaire.
19/21 expressed that they felt the event was a good or excellent educational
experience, and had improved their confidence in their capability to improve
patient care. 19/21 said their knowledge and understanding of integrated care
had been enhanced. The sequential simulation was appreciated as a way of
visualizing integrated care, with 19/21 describing it as good or excellent.
Further themes were identified through video-analysis and field note analysis.
Conclusion: Sequential Simulation is a novel and practical approach to
present current care pathways, aiming to generate a mutual focus, create
participant empathy and bring the conventionalities of integrated care to life.
We consider this approach helpful in preparing frontline staff to participate in integrated care.