By Gareth Hughes, RPS Welsh Board member and Pharmacist, Independent Prescriber, and Pharmacy Contractor at Tynewydd Pharmacy
As a pharmacist working in community pharmacy, I’ve seen first-hand the exciting benefits of Protected Learning Time (PLT) time and the profound impact it can have on our clinical practice, professional growth, and how it can help us improve our service to patients.
In the fast-paced world of pharmacy and healthcare, where the landscape is continually evolving, it is essential for us to keep pace with the latest developments and guidance in our field. One way to certainly achieve this is by embracing the concept of Protected Learning Time.
What is Protected Learning Time?
For anyone unfamiliar with the term, PLT refers to dedicated time set aside where we can step away from our routine work to engage in structured continuing professional development and training, which is essential to enhance knowledge, improve clinical skills, and ultimately benefit patient care.
I am fortunate amongst community pharmacists to have experience of what it means to have PLT in my work. I have been able to do this as part of a pilot program run by Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) this year. So far, I have been able to have eight protected sessions, with two still to come before the pilot is complete.
The importance of PLT in pharmacy practice
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Enhancing Clinical Skills and Competence: As healthcare professionals, our goal is to provide the best possible care to our patients. Engaging in structured PLT ensures that we continuously enhance our clinical competence that directly benefits patients.
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Keeping on Top of Continually Evolving Guidelines: Being granted the time during work hours to ensure we are staying up to date with the latest research, guidelines, and best practice, means we can make more informed decisions whether in clinical consultations, dispensing medication, or providing advice to patients. This can help to improve patient outcomes, reduce the risk of adverse drug reactions, and ultimately lead to better health outcomes for our patients.
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Innovative Thinking: Meeting with and learning from peers and other healthcare professionals can provide opportunities to develop new strategies and services to implement in our own practices.
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Communication and Collaboration: By attending training and development sessions alongside other healthcare professionals, pharmacists can gain a better understanding of the roles and responsibilities of others and learn how to work together more effectively. This can lead to better coordination of care, improved patient outcomes, and ultimately a more efficient and effective healthcare system.
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Fostering Professional Growth and Confidence: PLT has helped me to stay motivated and engaged in my clinical work. Providing the opportunity to attend training with colleagues and shadowing other health professionals has helped build by peer and mentoring network. By having dedicated time for learning and development, my colleagues and I feel more confident in our abilities and more fulfilled professionally, ultimately creating a more positive work environment for all.
Benefits of PLT to the practice and the professional
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Better Patient Outcomes: Ultimately, PLT leads to better patient care. Improvements in skills and knowledge
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Enhanced Professional Satisfaction: There is a profound sense of satisfaction that can along with continuously improving and providing the best possible patient care. PLT sessions can help reignite our passion for our profession and support our motivation.
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Improved Patient Access: In the face of current healthcare challenges, a well-trained and adaptable workforce is imperative. Upskilling ourselves and providing additional clinical services supports patients and the resilience of the NHS.
The future?
It has been my experience that Protected Learning Time is essential for improving the quality of care and ensuring that pharmacists are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to provide the best possible clinical service to our patients. By investing in education and PLT, we can improve patient outcomes, enhance job satisfaction, and ultimately create a more effective and efficient healthcare system for all.
The big challenge in a difficult financial climate will be how pharmacy contractors can be supported to free up pharmacy professionals to access the PLT that is imperative to our practice. Let’s seize the opportunity to learn, grow, and lead the way in delivering high quality pharmaceutical care to our communities.
Read our policy on Protected Learning Time.
Read more RPS blogs.