ANDREW BARTLETT¹
Ines Krass¹, Irene Um¹, and Carl Schneider¹
1 Sydney University

Background:
Pharmacist preceptors play a pivotal role in nurturing the professional growth of students and interns during pre-registration training. Ensuring the quality and consistency of preceptor competency assessment has emerged as a critical necessity. A shared consensus is essential to determine the competencies warranting assessment among preceptors and to identify a suitable assessment strategy. 

Summary of the Study:
Employing a modified Delphi method via an anonymous survey, our study spanned three rounds. Drawing from 16 competencies identified through a prior literature review (1), a panel of experts encompassing stakeholder organizations, policy developers, professionals and academics evaluated each competency. Participants offered insights on phrasing, the necessity of assessment (mandatory, preferable, or unnecessary), assessment feasibility, who should assess, and the preferred mode of assessment mode. A consensus threshold of 70% guided decision-making, with refinement undertaken for non-consensual topics in subsequent rounds. 

Results:
Out of 54 experts approached, 20 completed the initial round, followed by 13 in the second round, and nine in the third round. Consensus was achieved for 17 competencies, for which assessment was determined as mandatory for eight and preferable for nine competencies. Consensus was also reached on who should assess and the mode of assessment for 12 competencies. 

Discussion:
A modified Delphi method has provided clarity on which competencies should be assessed, who should perform assessment and the mode of assessment. The consensus-building process underscores the significance of balancing assessment feasibility and acceptability, ideally fostering a flexible approach to pharmacist preceptor evaluation. The consensus recommendations provide evidence to support a proposed pharmacist preceptor competency assessment framework which addresses a gap for accreditation bodies and education providers alike. 

Conclusion:
A competency-based assessment strategy was developed via consensus of pharmacy education experts. The outcome is a significant step towards development of a competency assessment framework, thereby enhancing the pharmacy educational landscape. 

References (maximum three) 

1. Bartlett AD, Um IS, Luca EJ, Krass I, Schneider CR. Measuring and assessing the competencies of preceptors in health professions: a systematic scoping review. BMC Medical Education. 2020;20(1):165.