Support for pharmacy professionals returning to (clinical) practice after a break: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract Introduction The continuing expansion of clinical roles for pharmacists, combined with National Health Service workforce shortages and the COVID-19 pandemic, have significantly increased pressure on pharmacy professionals.1 These pressures have heightened stress levels, causing many to consider leaving the field.2 Addressing workforce shortages and retension is crucial, with a particular focus on the reintegration of professionals returning to practice after a break. However, those returning after extended breaks often face challenges such as decreased skills and confidence. Nevertheless, research on the effectiveness of reintegration programmes to help pharmacy professionals return remains limited. Aim To explore participants’ reasons for leaving and returning and to assess the effectiveness of the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE)’s Return to practice (RTP) and Return to the register (RTTR) programmes in helping individuals return to pharmacy practice in England. Methods CPPE emailed an anonymous link to an online survey, with two reminders, in December 2023 and January 2024, to individuals who participated in the RTP and/or RTTR programme(s) before March 2023 (n=701) and had given consent to be contacted for evaluation purposes. The survey employed closed, Likert-type and free-text questions. Quantitative data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), with inferential statistics for subgroup comparisons and thematic analysis for qualitative comments (statistical significance p≤0.05).3 Using the university’s ethical approval tool, this study did not require approval due to not collecting personal, confidentical or sensitive information, with no vulnerable groups included, or risk of disclosure. Results The valid response rate was 15% (n=106). Most respondents were female (n=67, 79.8%), aged 35 and older (n=82, 97.6%), and pharmacists (n=77, 85.6%) or pharmacy technicians (n=8, 8.9%). The primary reasons for leaving included family responsibilities, career transition, and relocation, while the main motivations for returning were career reconnection, relocation, and other personal reasons. Participants reported a high degree of satisfaction with both programmes; those who perceived high content relevance reported significantly higher satisfaction (8.90±1.47 for RTP and 8.75±1.58 for RTTR on a 10-point scale). Overall, 70.8% (n=75) successfully returned to pharmacy practice and/or the GPhC register after completing the programme(s). Of those who returned, 68.1% (n=47) took less than 6 months. It was found that those who were more satisfied and more likely to recommend the programme(s), had been off the register for less than 10 years (n=41, 78.8%), and completed the programme(s) before 2020, prior to the shift to online delivery due to COVID-19 (n=41, 83.7% for RTP and n=16, 88.90% for RTTR), were more likely to have returned. Discussion/Conclusion The CPPE RTP and RTTR programmes supported participants effectively in returning to pharmacy practice. Increasing the number of pharmacy professionals returning to practice using reintegration course(s) positively impacts workforce shortages and addresses skill gaps after a break. One study limitation is the lack of information about those who did not use or are unaware of these support programmes. Further research could explore the support needs of all those wishing to return to practice or the GPhC register. References 1. Ratwatte M. The NHS workforce crisis is a retention crisis. BMJ. 2023;380:602. 2. Robinson J. Nearly three-quarters of pharmacy staff considered leaving profession in the past year, finds RPS survey. RPS. 2023;310(7969):171850. 3. Sundler AJ, Lindberg E, Nilsson C, Palmér L. Qualitative thematic analysis based on descriptive phenomenology. Nurs Open. 2019;6(3):733-9.