Competency development for pharmacy: adopting and adapting the FIP global advanced development framework.

Background: Pharmacy education shifts toward competency-based training to meet healthcare demands. This study aims to develop and validate the Kuwait Advanced Competency Framework (KACF) for pharmacists. The study adopts the FIP Global Advanced Development Framework (GADF) to develop a country-specific framework, emphasizing the importance of aligning with global standards while adapting to local contexts.

Empowering competence: A program-wide active learning framework for a pharmacy program.

Objective: This study aimed to develop and implement a program-wide active learning framework to guide active learning and assessment efforts in an entry-to-practice competency-based Doctor of Pharmacy program.

Methods: The development of the framework involved 3 stages: creation of a framework aligned with the program's guiding principles, provision of training and support to faculty and students, and evaluation of the students' and academic staff satisfaction using an online survey over 2 academic years (2022-2023). Data from this survey were analyzed descriptively.

Building bridges: evaluating policymakers' research capacities, engagement, and utilization in health policymaking within the Kuwaiti context: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Health policymaking is a critical aspect of governmental decision-making that shapes the well-being of populations. In the Middle East and North Africa, particularly in Kuwait, limited attention has been given to exploring the research capacities, engagement, and utilization among health policymakers. This study aims to bridge this gap by investigating how Kuwaiti health policymakers incorporate evidence-based research into the formulation of health-related policies.

Exploring healthcare providers' perspectives on virtual care delivery: insights into telemedicine services.

Background: The rapid advancement of technology has led to a concurrent advancement of telemedicine, that is the delivery of medical services over a long distance using technological methods. The consistently growing numbers of COVID-19 cases warranted the use of telemedicine as an alternative method of care-delivery. This study aims to evaluate perceptions of healthcare services provided virtually among healthcare providers (HCPs) in Kuwait and to assess their acceptance and intention to implement such services.

The Association of Professional Burnout and Turnover Intentions Among Intensive Care Units Physicians: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Intensive Care Units (ICU) workers work in highly stressful conditions that make them prone to professional burnout, which can lead to high turnover rates. This study explores professional burnout levels among ICU workers in Kuwait general governmental hospitals (GGHs), their turnover intentions, and the correlation factors. A cross-sectional self-administered survey study was conducted.

Development and Refinement of a Matrix Competency Framework, with Associated Entrustable Professional Activities, to Support Initial Pharmacy Education in Kuwait.

The development of competency frameworks serves as the foundation for the development of competency-based education. It is vital to develop a country-specific framework to address the specific needs of the local population for pharmacy services. This study aimed to describe the development process of a competency framework for undergraduate pharmacy education in Kuwait with a unique matrix structure.

Patient satisfaction of primary care services in Gulf Cooperation Council Countries: A scoping review.

Patient satisfaction (PS) is an essential element in evaluating and improving healthcare systems. Few studies have gathered evidence about patient satisfaction with primary care (PC) services in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Therefore, it is important to review the existing literature examining PS with PC services in the GCC countries.

Transforming pharmacy practice in Kuwait.

In the last few decades, pharmacy services have expanded to fulfil the need for more complex health needs from population worldwide. Moving from 'product-centred' to a 'patient-centred' profession, pharmacists are required to master more professional competencies to deliver high quality pharmaceutical services to their patients and community. In Kuwait pharmacy practice has long been identified as a sector yet to be developed.

An evidence-led review of the FIP global competency framework for early career pharmacists training and development.

Background: The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Global Competency Framework (GbCF) for early career pharmacists is an evidence-driven guide for pharmacist professional development. First published in 2012, the FIP GbCFv1 contains a structured assembly of competencies for pharmacists in four broad areas: pharmaceutical public health; pharmaceutical care; organisation and management; and professional/personal. FIP is committed to support the advancement of pharmacy around the world, and in light with the expansion of the type of services that pharmacists may provide to their patients and the advances in technology and therapeutics, revising and updating the GbCF is imperative.

Adopting global tools for the advancement of pharmacy practice and workforce in Saudi Arabia.

Background: The continuing expansion of the pharmacist's role necessitates continuous evaluation of current practice to identify strategies for improvements. The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) has developed tools to support stakeholders in identifying development needs and planning advancement strategies. The aim of this research was to utilise the FIP Global Competency Framework, version 2 (GbCF v2), and FIP Development Goals (DGs) to evaluate competencies related to pharmacy practice in Saudi Arabia, and to understand the strategies needed to develop and improve the current practice.

Expert consensus for a national essential antidote list: E-Delphi method.

Antidote stocking represents a major challenge to hospitals all over the world, including Kuwait. In order to assist hospitals to reduce costs and improve patient care, an essential antidote list can be used as an initial foundation for securing sufficient antidote availability at healthcare institutions. The aim of our study is to generate a nationally relevant essential antidote list for emergency care hospitals in Kuwait using the e-Delphi method by establishing consensus through a multidisciplinary expert group of healthcare providers.

Population perceptions of health care services provided virtually (telehealth): a cross-sectional study.

Background: In the era of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, health care systems wish to harness the advantage of distant care provision to transcend barriers to access health care facilities. This study aims to investigate general population perceptions (acceptance, comfort, perceived ease of use and perceived quality of care) toward telehealth.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a validated online questionnaire.

Evolving to Objective Structured Clinical Exams (OSCE): Transitional experience in an undergraduate pharmacy program in Kuwait.

Background: Objective Structured Clinical Exams (OSCEs) can assess professional competencies in a structured manner and facilitate objective evaluation of clinical performance. With limited data from the Eastern Mediterranean region, this study aims to describe the development, implementation, and evaluation of OSCEs for final year pharmacy students in Kuwait. The study also aims to compare students' performance in two academic years (2015-2016 and 2016-2017).

The Development and Evaluation of a Structured Continuing Professional Development Programme for Pharmacists in Kuwait: A Feasibility Study.

Continuous education and training play a critical role in preparing a competent pharmacy workforce to meet the healthcare needs of the public. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of implementing a structured Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training programme for pharmacists in Kuwait. Twenty-one practicing pharmacists participated in the programme.

Using a global systematic framework tool to guide the advancement of the pharmacy workforce education and training on a national level.

Background: Systematic education and training strategies play a critical role in preparing a competent pharmacy workforce to meet the evolving healthcare needs of nations. Reports have shown that investing in healthcare workers' education and training not only has a positive impact on employment rates and economic growth but also results in measurable improvement in health and population outcomes. The goal of this study was to evaluate the use of globally validated workforce goals as a guide to the planning and advancement of the Kuwait pharmacy workforce's education and training.

Multidisciplinary academic perspectives during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To date, the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has infected more than 5 million people and caused around 350 000 deaths globally. In most countries, the world as we knew it came to a sudden stop and this led to the biggest shift of employees to remotely conduct their work. Academic institutions were extensively affected, as teaching and assessment activities were hampered, and graduation ceremonies were cancelled.

Competency development for pharmacy: Adopting and adapting the Global Competency Framework.

Background: With current accelerated changes in the role of the pharmacists across different sectors, evidence-based developmental tools are needed to re-define the scope of practice for early career pharmacists (foundation level) and to support pharmacists' career development. This study aimed to develop a foundation competency framework for pharmacists in Kuwait using the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Global Competency Framework (GbCF) in an adopt and adapt approach.

Methods: A 4-phase adopt and adapt approach was followed to develop the Kuwait Foundation Competency Framework (KFCF).

Availability of Antidotes in Kuwait: A National Audit.

Background: Effective management of poisoning requires adequate stocking of antidotes in hospitals that provide emergency care. Antidote stocking represents a major challenge to hospitals all over the world, including Kuwait.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate antidote stocking in public and private hospitals that provide emergency care in Kuwait.

Motivations, career aspiration, and learning experience of students in the pharmacy program at Kuwait University: A tool to guide curriculum development.

Purpose: To determine students' motivating factors in the choice of pharmacy, career aspirations, and perceptions about learning experiences in the current pharmacy curriculum.

Activity: A descriptive cross-sectional survey of pharmacy students was performed at Kuwait University FINDINGS: The most common reason to pursue pharmacy was that they were not admitted to medicine or dentistry (40.5%).

Implementation and evaluation of a workshop on patient counseling about antidiabetic medications for final-year pharmacy students.

Objective: To implement an interactive workshop for final-year pharmacy students on patient counseling about antidiabetic medications and to assess its impact on knowledge and self-reported confidence of students in counseling.

Subjects And Methods: The workshop was organized for all final-year pharmacy students (n = 27) during the academic year 2011-2012. It included various teaching and learning activities: interactive lectures, group work and role-playing.