Planned CPD record examples

What are you planning to learn?

My employer has asked me to provide Emergency Contraception service under NHS PGD. For this service, I would like to gain more knowledge about the service and complete the Declaration of Competence (DoC) process on CPPE website. This learning is vital to provide a successful EHC service under PGD. Pharmacies are the ideal place to supply EHC at times when the GP surgery may be too busy or during out of hours. By getting accredited to provide EHC under NHS PGD, I would be able to help the users of my pharmacy when they require EHC.

How are you planning to learn it?

I am going to complete CPPE course on Emergency Contraception and Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and undertake e-assessment for each course. I will also read and understand PGD document available to familiarise myself with inclusion and exclusion criteria. I will read the product literature of each product to be supplied under the PGD.

Give an example of how this learning benefited your patients or service users.

After completing CPPE courses on Emergency Contraception and Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, I have completed the Declaration of Competence on CPPE website. I am confident about providing emergency contraception service in my pharmacy safely and effectively. I have supplied EHC under NHS PGD to one of our regular patients. The patient required EHC on Saturday morning and the GP surgery was closed. The patient did not want to go to a walk-in centre due to a long wait to see a doctor. Therefore, she came to the pharmacy for EHC under the PGD service. As I have completed the accreditation process, I was able to provide the service as per PGD requirements. The patient was happy with the service as it saved her time from a long wait at the walk-in centre.

What are you planning to learn?

My role at a pharmaceutical company supports the introduction of new medicines to the market.

My company is introducing a complex novel therapy (an enzyme inhibitor) to market. I need to present to clinicians working in the NHS who will be prescribing this medicine and discuss how this new medicine’s interactions can be managed. It would be useful to compare other similar medicines (in the same class), so we can develop a consistent approach to support clinicians managing the interactions.

I will, therefore, learn about the interaction profiles of medicines in the same class.

How are you planning to learn it?

Read product literature and conduct a literature search for other enzyme inhibitors. So I can familiarise myself with the interaction profile of this and similar medicines.

Give an example of how this learning has benefitted the people using your services?

I learnt that this novel therapy, like others in its class increases exposure (and this is classified as severe so will require dose adjustments) to antifungals, azoles, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers and HIV-protease inhibitors. Avoid this medicine for those taking anti-arrhythmics. Exposure to this novel therapy is increased by grapefruit juice.

I presented the evidence (what I had learnt) to a group of prescribers at a meeting I arranged to provide support.

Attendees expressed appreciation for the information I gave them. As it helped reassure them and fully understand the interaction profile of this novel therapy, and that it can be managed in a similar way to other medicines in this class.

What are you planning to learn?

I want to learn more about advanced inhaler technique.

This learning is relevant to me because I dispense inhalers to patients with respiratory conditions and there is a gap in my knowledge about using some new inhalers.

This learning will help me to counsel patients on correct use of their inhalers.

How are you planning to learn it?

I plan to talk to colleagues with experience in this area and attend the advanced inhaler technique workshop organised by the WCPPE. I did think about looking up information on the internet too but eventually decided against that approach as I wasn’t sure where to start looking for information.

Give an example of how this learning has benefited the people using your services.

I learnt more about the common mistakes patients make when using inhalers. They inhale pMDI too fast and DPI like Accuhaler, Turbohaler and Handihaler too slowly. Inhalation of MDI (device that creates aerosol) should be gentle. On the otherhand, inhalation of DPI (relies on the energy of inhalation) should be forceful.

Inhaler technique affects the fate of the inhaled drug. Learning how inspiratory flow can affect drug delivery for different inhalers has helped me to help patients improve their inhaler technique and had a direct impact on improving their care. I have also updated our patient handout on inhalers. My confidence in counselling patients with respiratory conditions has improved. Some of my patients have told me that personalised counselling on inhaler use plus receiving the handout as an aide-memoire has been particularly useful and resulted in more appropriate use of their medication.

This example record is copyright to the General Pharmaceutical Council and reproduced with permission from “Example records - For revalidation for pharmacy professionals” 2017.

What are you planning to learn?

I need to understand the mode of action, benefits, side-effects, and interactions of the antithrombotic drug rivaroxaban. As I work as an occasional locum where rivaroxaban is used to prevent DVT following orthopaedic surgery. I need to be able to check that the appropriate regimen is being used, advise prescribers and counsel patients.

How are you planning to learn it?

I plan to read the summary of product characteristics and patient information leaflet carefully in the first instance, and follow-up with checking NICE and other clinical guidelines to find how it is used in the clinical pathway.

Give an example of how this learning has benefitted the people using your services?

I have been able to discuss rivaroxaban with each new resident medical officer (RMO) and ensure they are fully informed of its mode of action and potential interactions. I have supplied supporting information for the RMO file. I have also identified a potential interaction with carbamazepine in one case, leading to switch to LMW heparin and in another identified that doses had not been prescribed for discharge, the patient had only received four doses on the ward.

What are you planning to learn?

I want to learn what a high prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level means following a request from a distressed couple. The husband had a high PSA level but neither knew what that meant.

How are you planning to learn it?

I’m going to check if NICE have published a clinical guideline covering this topic and also search for some information from reputable websites on the internet taking particular care over the reliability and differing units/levels used in other countries.

Give an example of how this learning has benefitted the people using your services?

This has improved my confidence in dealing with patients and with the local GP when PSA levels, prostate cancer and other conditions which can also cause high PSA levels (prostatitis and urinary infection) are discussed.

What are you planning to learn?

I want to learn more about threshold concepts and their application to education and training. I identified this as a development need while attending a seminar on threshold concepts and troublesome knowledge, yesterday. I may be able to use the concepts and theory in my teaching and research.

How are you planning to learn it?

I plan to follow-up on some of the references used in the seminar, track down the publications, reading and learning.

Give an example of how this learning has benefitted the people using your services?

I now have a better understanding of why students struggle with some aspects of the course. I feel better able to support them in this and less inclined to ‘give them the answer’ or simplify things to make things easier for them as the literature shows that the process of working through the liminal space is an important part of learning.

What are you planning to learn?

I am planning to learn about the ‘Prevent’ organisation – it’s role and functions and how it may relate to my role in teaching students.

I want to learn how to detect if a student may be radicalised, and what to do if I suspect a student is being influenced in this way.

How are you planning to learn it?

I am planning to attend a training session at the university campus in February 2016.

Give an example of how this learning has benefited the people using your services.

This learning will benefit my students as I am now aware of the behaviours they may display that could indicate they are being influenced in this way. I am aware of what action to take should I have any concerns, and I would inform the relevant authorities to arrange for intervention for my student. The benefit to the student would be safeguarding, and arranging the appropriate support/intervention for them.

Colleagues in my department have benefited from my learning. As I have shared my learning with them and raised awareness of the potential issues. They know that they can come to me if they have any concerns regarding any students.

This example record is copyright to the General Pharmaceutical Council and reproduced with permission from “Example records - For revalidation for pharmacy professionals” 2017.

What are you planning to learn?

I am planning to learn about the management of blood pressure in patients with diabetes in order to undertake a clinical audit and make recommendations for prescribing changes.

How are you planning to learn it?

I will review the literature around management of blood pressure in diabetes, including NICE clinical guidelines.

Give an example of how this learning has benefited the people using your services.

The learning enabled me to develop audit criteria which I agreed with the lead GP. This helped to identify a proportion of patients who had uncontrolled blood pressure and I was able to review and recommend prescribing changes to number of these patients and agreed actions to implement with the practice clinical team.

What are you planning to learn?

How to use the Onefile online recording tool for NVQ assessments.

This learning is relevant to my role as I am an NVQ assessor and need to be up to date with IT developments. It will benefit my NVQ students and my fellow assessors too as I will support them to use the system.

How are you planning to learn it?

• Attend a structured training session
• Use the system online to work out the various areas
• Work with a colleague who is already familiar with the systems
• Work with a colleague who is not familiar with the system and bounce ideas off one another to work out the best way to use the system.

Give an example of how this learning has benefited the people using your services.

I have been able to advise NVQ pharmacy students how to use the Onefile system:

• I have worked with my fellow assessors to support them in using the system
• My own use of the system has improved
• My learning has been put into practice by myself, colleagues and students and has resulted in better use of and improved recording on the Onefile recording tool.

This example record is copyright to the General Pharmaceutical Council and reproduced with permission from “Example records - For revalidation for pharmacy professionals” 2017.

What are you planning to learn?

More about the abuse or misuse of over the counter (OTC) medicines. At busy times I sometimes serve customers at the front counter and have noticed that some customers are coming in regularly and asking for the same products again. I have been asked by the pharmacy manager to monitor the supply. I want to learn more about what to look out for when a customer keeps asking for the same medicine and refresh my knowledge of those medicines that may possibly be subject to abuse or misuse. The learning will hopefully benefit customers as it will help to avoid inappropriate supply.

How are you planning to learn it?

My company has organised a lunchtime staff training session for staff. We have been sent information leaflets to read in advance of the training.

Give an example of how this learning has benefited the people using your services.

This learning has benefited my service users as it helps to ensure safe and appropriate supply of medicines. If I think a customer is behaving suspiciously and / or may be requesting too much of a certain product I tell the pharmacist. The pharmacist then talks to the customer and assesses whether the supply is appropriate and / or whether the patient may have some other issue and needs to be referred. Some customers may also visit other shops in an attempt to get the product. If we have concerns regarding a particular customer we alert our other branches (we are part of a small chain). The processes we follow are documented in our standard operating procedures.

We recently had a problem with a taxi driver who was regularly trying to buy regular supplies of Sudafed tablets. We spoke to him about his underlying health concerns and the appropriate use of OTC medicines and then through our network discovered he was also visiting other branches in an attempt to buy the same product. We contacted the Health Board and made them aware of the situation – they then emailed all the pharmacies in the area to alert them to the situation (we were able to provide a description and car registration number). This seems to have stopped the problem.

This example record is copyright to the General Pharmaceutical Council and reproduced from “Example records - For revalidation for pharmacy professionals” 2017

What are you planning to learn?

I am planning to learn about the cost effective prescribing of long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA’s) in COPD. My aim is to assess patients for suitability to switch from Tiotropium (Spiriva) inhalers to Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) or, for those patients also on a prescribed LABA, Anoro Ellipta (umeclidinium & vilanterol). This learning is relevant to my role as a pharmacy support facilitator. I have to be able to effectively, without compromising patient safety or care switch patients from Tiotropium Inhalers to Incruse Ellipta or Anoro Ellipta inhalers. I have been asked to perform this switch in various GP Practices. This learning will mean:

• Patients will have their medication reviewed by someone who understands and is knowledgeable about their illness and medication requirements
• Patients will get the opportunity to be counselled on the most appropriate inhaler for them and the correct use of it
• By switching patients to the preferred meter I will be able to save X (health board) a considerable amount of money
• The GP practices have their patients medication reviewed with minimum input from the practice staff.

How are you planning to learn it?

I plan to read through the SOP and support pack provided. This will inform me why we are making the change and how to complete the objectives. I plan to read the Review guide on the Cost-effective prescribing of long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA’s) in COPD I have been supplied with. I also plan to talk to experienced colleagues and meet with the GP practice nurses who are involved with the COPD patients to explain the review and ask for any input or experience them may be able to share.

Give an example of how this learning benefited your patients or service users

I have applied the learning by reviewing patients notes and switching only the appropriate patients to the new inhalers. Patients not switched were e.g. patients with a current exacerbation (to be reviewed at a later date), patients with asthma only, or patients where their life circumstances made the switch inappropriate. Learning benefits for patients is that they are given the opportunity to be counselled and trained on their new inhalers. The patient can speak to someone over the phone or face to face who understands their problem and has a good basic knowledge of their treatment. Patients have said the new inhaler is easier to use.

What are you planning to learn?

I would like to learn more about leadership and management skills in healthcare. I have been a manager for 12 months now, and I have felt that I have been learning as I go along and doing what I think is best. I would like to be able to build on my knowledge and experience so far and develop a framework for leadership. I would also like to develop my leadership style.

How are you planning to learn it?

I applied for a fully funded place on a programme offered by the NHS Leadership Academy, and while I was waiting to hear whether I had been successful, I have been attending Trust based learning forums that cover a wide variety of topics from preparation for a CQC inspection to use of technology in the NHS.

Give an example of how this learning has benefited the people using your services.

I will finish this course in November and I will continue with the process of self-development until then and beyond. I have learnt of the importance of effective communication, maintaining the clear line of sight to the patient and the difference between leadership and management. The different roles I play and the transition needed to make the change from team member to leader. This has helped me in leading the team in delivering more effective services. I have started to apply my learning in the way that services are managed by, for example, ensuring that there is effective communication between the teams and trying to make it a two-way process. Encouraging input from other members of the team into how things are done. The team have been able to feed into their work in new ways and this has had a positive effect on their morale.

What are you planning to learn?

I am planning to reacquaint myself with the falsified medicines legislation as it is important to me to have a general understanding of the contents of this legislation as a regulatory consultant.

How are you planning to learn it?

I am planning to learn it by reading the following documents as well as finding further information on the UK MHRA website and other websites: • Falsified medicines Directive 2001/62/EU published on 1 July 2001 and effective as of 2 January 2013. • The delegated act (Commission delegated regulation EU 2016/161) detailing the characteristics of the safety features on medicines packs, how medicine authenticity should be verified, and by whom, was adopted on 2nd October 2015 and published on 9 February 2016.

Undertaking this exercise was very helpful as I to provide clarification on a specific point concerning the delegated regulation. A client required clarification of a point in the directive for pack identifiers. I was able to explain that information other than the unique identifier in the 2D barcode is voluntary, not mandatory which helped the client in their preparations to meet the requirements of the directive.

Give an example of how this learning has benefited the people using your services.

Undertaking this exercise was very helpful as I to provide clarification on a specific point concerning the delegated regulation. A client required clarification of a point in the directive for pack identifiers. I was able to explain that information other than the unique identifier in the 2D barcode is voluntary, not mandatory which helped the client in their preparations to meet the requirements of the directive.

What are you planning to learn?

I need to find out the most current guidelines for the prevention of DVT (deep vein thrombosis) for long haul flights, so that I may be able to advise my great aunt. In my normal field of work I don’t need to know about this, so I realised I had some work to do before I could advise her properly.

How are you planning to learn it?

I plan to:

• Check if there are in-date articles on the Pharmaceutical Journal website to see if there is a learning article on flights and DVT
• Discuss with colleagues
• Looking up DVT on reputable websites such as NHS direct
• Discuss with a compression hosiery information service
• Check with a local medicines information department for a literature search of most recent articles or MI guidance
• Ring some airlines for advice
• Check for interactions.

Give an example of how this learning has benefitted the people using your services?

I am now aware of the risk factors for DVT. I can explain the symptoms and consequences of DVT. I know how to reduce the risk of DVT when flying. I was able to provide my aunt with the advice she needed before travelling. She had lots of questions about the various options I suggested, but I had prepared myself thoroughly for this and was able to answer them to her satisfaction. I was also able to do a short lunch-time talk to our team meeting at work which my colleagues found useful.

What are you planning to learn?

I am planning to learn about Good Distribution Practice (GDP) in line with wholesale dealer guidelines outlined by the MHRA. I want to learn about the roles of the responsible person and how it differs from the responsible pharmacist. I want to learn about the expectations of a GDP inspection by the MHRA. This is valid to my role as I must implement a new of working with WDA for a contract. This will change the way that the prisons order, how we process, and what records and standards must be adhered to.

How are you planning to learn it?

• I attended a GDP practice workshop with a Qualified Person
• I completed a GDP training programme online
• I attended and shadowed a Responsible Person for a warehouse
• Learned the process on the change control forms and incident reporting procedures.

Give an example of how this learning has benefited the people using your services.

This has benefited me in my role as I have a sound understanding of what is required to run an organised WDA with Good Distribution Practice. I have been able to support and lead the new team through the change and implement the new ways of working in line with the MHRA guidance. Throughout the process we communicated the reason for the change to our customers and held training sessions on the new process. Through the training I have built new relationships with the team which has helped the smooth transition of the complex delivery schedules to ensure that the customers receive their delivery within the desired timeframe meeting the MHRA standards. Our new WDA has now been running for three months in line with the MHRA standards. We have had our first operational review with the Responsible Person which went well with minor actions to be addressed.

What are you planning to learn?

In my work as a locum, I was not able to deliver the Trimethoprim service as I had not been able to attend the training due to my full-time work commitment. I wanted to be able to provide this service, particularly because patients frequently present with symptoms of urinary tract infections. By completing the training I will be able to provide this service directly to patients without having to refer them to the out of hours service.

How are you planning to learn it?

I will read the PGD documentation • I will arrange to visit the pharmacy when the regular pharmacist is working so that he can cascade the training. • I will discuss the PGD with the regular pharmacist and ask any questions I have regarding providing Trimethoprim and completion of any documentation.

Give an example of how this learning has benefited the people using your services.

Following the training and reading and signing the PGD I provided the trimethoprim service. I have regularly provided trimethoprim to female patients presenting with frequent urination, and pain on passing urine which met the criteria for trimethoprim supply. It is also important to know when not to supply Trimethoprim and I was able to refer a male patient with concerning symptoms of a urinary tract infection. It is not appropriate to supply Trimethoprim to male patients since urinary tract infection symptoms could be indicative of other underlying disease. Through this learning I have been able to offer a much-needed service to my patients on my Saturday locums, but I have also ensured patient safety by appropriately referring a male patient, who had a kidney infection.

What are you planning to learn?

I want to update my knowledge and test the skills I have from my independent prescriber qualification. I have been a prescriber since 2010 and it is time to refresh my knowledge and skills. I need to ensure that I am up to date in my clinical skills and therapeutics. As well as the legal and ethical considerations around working as a prescriber in a mental health trust. Doing this will ensure my patients get the best possible service from me when I am prescribing for them. Prescribing in mental health can be challenging because patients have varying abilities to be involved in prescribing decisions due to the nature of their mental health condition. Especially early on in their hospital admission or if they lack capacity.

How are you planning to learn it?

• Reading and understanding the differences between the old and new competency framework for prescribing
• Undertake an online training package designed to refresh prescribing skills
• Read my employer’s policies on prescribing.

Give an example of how this learning has benefited the people using your services.

I have now tested my knowledge and made sure I am up-to-date. As well as being able to support patients better with their medication and being more confident in making prescribing decisions, I have also been able to support people my team who have been training to become prescribers. Two have successfully completed their course and are now prescribers and I am supporting a third complete their portfolio. As a team, we will continue to support one another with our prescribing practise and this means there are more competent prescribers available to support patients.

What are you planning to learn?

I was approached by the Regional Occupational Health Consultant for a summary of the potential benefits of a new anti-coagulant over traditional anti-coagulants for military personnel deploying to austere environments. There are strict rules governing military personnel’s fitness for deployment, and the new anti-coagulant is currently subject to additional monitoring, i.e. a black triangle drug. It is unusual for military personnel to be prescribed this type of drug. Therefore, there is currently no policy on deployment of personnel whilst taking this medication. My contribution to policy will be used nationally and internationally to assess individual's fitness to deploy on military service in specific environments.

How are you planning to learn it?

Review of:

1. product characteristics
2. NICE Technology Appraisals
3. Patient notes of the specific patient that triggered the inquiry
4. Internal policy documents on health grading and deployability.

• Discuss the issues arising with military colleagues to gain their perspective on deployment
• Draw together a briefing paper to discuss with Regional Occupational Health Consultant and Surgeon General's department.

Give an example of how this learning has benefited the people using your services.

The briefing paper I produced recommended that military personnel should not be considered for active deployments, but may be considered for deployment to firm base with suitable medical facilities. Policy for deployment for individuals taking this medication has been published. Occupational Health and Medical Officers now have clear guidance on if an individual taking this medication may deploy. The initial patient has not been exposed to unnecessary risk whilst deployed.

What are you planning to learn?

I am planning to learn about the cost-effective prescribing of long-acting muscarinic antagonists in COPD. This learning is relevant to my role as a pharmacy support facilitator. I must be able to effectively, without compromising patient safety or care, switch patients to new inhalers. I have been asked to perform this switch in various General Practices. This learning will mean patients will get the opportunity to be counselled on the most appropriate inhaler for them and the correct use of it.

How are you planning to learn it?

I plan to read through the SOP and support pack provided. I plan to read the Review guide on the Cost-effective prescribing of long-acting muscarinic antagonists in COPD I have been supplied with. I also plan to talk to experienced colleagues and meet with the practice nurses who are involved with the COPD patients to explain the review and ask for any input or experience them may be able to share.

Give an example of how this learning has benefited the people using your services.

I have applied the learning by reviewing patients notes and switching only the appropriate patients to the new inhalers. Patients not switched were e.g. patients with a current exacerbation, patients with asthma only, or patients where their life circumstances made the switch inappropriate. Learning benefits for patients is that they are given the opportunity to be counselled and trained on their new inhalers. The patient can speak to someone over the phone or face to face who understands their problem hand has a good basic knowledge of their treatment. Patients have said the new inhaler is easier to use.