We all know that collaboration sits at the heart of our work. This kind of multi-disciplinary approach can be seen both within our research teams and the interventions we typically evaluate. We also know that grant writing is strongest when people from different areas of expertise come together. Some of the most interesting developments happen when we bring together people who don’t typically collaborate. However, one profession of often underrepresented in this type of collaborative approach – pharmacists.
This includes pharmacists, pharmacy assistants, pharmacy technicians, and other related roles, at all levels of experience, from students to senior professionals. Many of the populations we work with are taking prescribed medication, and in some cases, people are taking unnecessary or unwanted medication (overprescribing). Pharmacists are not simply the key to prescribing medication; they are also key to deprescribing medication. More broadly, pharmacists are a key component of multi-disciplinary working. We should aim to be better at involving pharmacists in research.
Fortunately, there is a new initiative to get pharmacists more research active: the South West Pharmacy Research Network (SWPRN).
The SWPRN was started in 2023 to help pharmacists to become more involved in research, and to promote research collaboration between pharmacy teams, healthcare organisations and universities. The launch of the SWPRN is timely for those of us based in Devon, because from September 2024, University of Plymouth will be offering the University of Bath MPharm, as part of a cross-university collaboration.
Preparations are also underway for the second annual SWPRN Innovation Day, which will be taking place in Plymouth this October (further details tbc shortly). This is essentially a one-day mini conference, with presentations and sharing of ideas. Charley Hobson-Merrett and I both took part in the 2023 event, representing the CPCRG, PenARC and the University of Plymouth. Because of the current under-involvement of pharmacists in research, the innovation had a strong focus on how to start out in research. I co-ran a session on Collaboration – how to build networks, find collaborators and build up larger projects”. This included information and signposting on key organisations involved in research and where to get advice (including some plugs for us of course), and break-out groups on fostering collaboration. Charley ran a session on planning, undertaking, implementing and disseminating research. Other sessions included research journeys, and how research benefits individuals, organisations and workforces. On the subject of plugs, I should also mention that I am now part of the SWPRN steering committee, along with Charley, as we strongly support this initiative.
Those of you who know me, will probably know that I am very interested in the overprescribing of medication for pain and distress, particularly in communities with high socio-economic deprivation. I was very encouraged by the interest in this at the last SWPRN innovation day, with almost everyone discussing this issue and keen to find ways of deprescribing and optimising medication. Some interesting conversations have followed this, with the potential to evolve into research – if we can get the funding of course!
In the meantime, you can find out more about the SWPRN and the next innovation day on the website.
https://www.bath.ac.uk/projects/south-west-pharmacy-research-network/
This is independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration South West Peninsula. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the National Institute for Health Research or the Department of Health and Social Care.