Applications
Please submit applications for accreditation of all E-Learning programmes at least 4-6 weeks prior to the date of launch of the programme. This will allow you to complete any changes, as required. All applications must include user details for the E - learning programme giving access to the RPS accreditation team and reviewers.

Once the application has been accepted as suitable for accreditation, you may state “RPS Accreditation is sought” as part of the promotional initiatives.

Criteria
E-Learning programmes for which RPS Accreditation is sought must satisfy the following criteria:

Accrediting E-Learning programmes

General details

All applications should clearly indicate:

  • Title of the programme
  • Date the programme is scheduled to go live
  • Number of screens in total
  • A brief overview of the site. 
Delivery methods

All applications should clearly specify

  • Whether it is a standalone programme/module
  • Whether it is part of a series of programme/modules, if so, please detail, the other titles; anticipated dates for launch, how long it will run for etc.
Audience

The target audience should be clearly identified. This will help us find suitable reviewers.
Aims

What are the overall aims of this programme and how do they contribute/ are relevant to pharmacy or medicines management and patient care. 

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are a key component of your application and help to provide participants and employers with a focus on what they can expect to gain from these programmes, and their value to their professional development.

We recommend that learning outcomes are written for the overall material and clearly describe what a learner can expect to achieve in terms of:

  • Knowledge  - ‘knows’
  • Comprehension – ‘knows how to’
  • Application – ‘shows how to’

Please list all the learning outcomes applicable.
Contribution to CPD

Clearly define how the programme will contribute to continuing professional development (CPD) and benefit the participant’s practice.
Accreditation sought

State whether accreditation is sought from other organisations and what this constitutes e.g. CPD points etc.

Information

We accredit programmes submitted to us at the point of application. Any further changes must be agreed with the accreditation team. Please see ‘general guidance’ for more details.

Please arrange access so that we may have an indication of where the RPS logo is to be positioned. .

Author(s)

Authors must be credible figures within the pharmacy profession, or a profession relevant to the subject matter.

Please submit a short bibliography (1-2 relevant paragraphs, we cannot accept full CVs) which details the credibility of the author(s) and their scope of practice; any specialism/special interests; any relevant professional/clinical experience.
Updating the document

We aim to ensure that any E-Learning programmes accredited by us are kept up to date. Accreditation will be granted for 3 years. Applicants are required to submit an annual update for the programme in year 2 and 3 to indicate any changes.  If there are significant changes, this may be subject to a review.

Relevant charges will apply – please see fees section in the general guidance notes.
Conflicts of interest

All applicants must disclose any conflicts of interest, including those that may apply to any authors or organisers
Sponsorship

All sponsors and the level of involvement must be clearly stated.

Pharmaceutical Industry sponsors should comply with the ABPI code of conduct when sponsoring documents, where applicable.

Please clarify if the E-Learning programme is for marketing or promoting any products. We are unable to accredit any programmes should any part be of a purely commercial nature and be heavily sponsored for promotional purposes.

All RPS accredited programmes must contain a standard strapline from RPS that states that “the RPS does not endorse any individual products mentioned in the text”.
Promotional/ marketing materials

Indicate how/where this programme will be promoted/marketed, if applicable.

Please give access to any promotional materials, including all  screens where the RPS logo is to be positioned.
Internal quality control

Please ensure that all materials submitted to the RPS have undergone a thorough QC.

In addition the following features are sought in E-Learning programmes:

Learning environment and usability

  • logical layout and clarity of presentations and video clips
  • organised delivery of modules
  • visibility of course status in the learning environment (keeping users informed about what is going on, through appropriate feedback within reasonable time)
  • use of  language
  • social element to content (e.g. forums to encourage users/provider interaction).
  • user freedom during online lesson
  • error prevention
  • efficiency during prolonged use
  • ease of navigation
  • ease of reading
  • aesthetic and minimalist design
  • use across major internet browsers
  • validation to W3C standards (please refer to http://www.w3schools.com)

Content

  • complementing delivery of core content
  • split into appropriate size sections
  • use of activities e.g. quizzes to reinforce learning
  • use of varying type of activities
  • provision for users to give feedback about content
  •  use of appropriate illustrations
  • grammar and spelling
  • all materials should be:
    • clinically accurate
    • up to date
    • evidence based
    • appropriate to the identified audience
  • meeting of learning needs of audience
  • referencing (references available to the RPS if requested)
  • independent and generic without bias

Help support and feedback

  • availability
  • customised for user
  • human support for operators

RPS Accredited Courses
Should the programme be successfully accredited, we will issue you with the documents relevant to ‘Accredited Status’ and ask that an Accreditation Agreement be signed.