A new training resource from the CPPE aims to support pharmacy teams in developing their consultation skills

The Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE) is launching a brand new resource to support pharmacy teams in developing their consultation skills when talking to customers or patients. The CPPE has developed a set of activity cards that every member of the pharmacy team can use, and is delivering them to every community pharmacy in England.

What is the resource?

Consultation skills for pharmacy support staff is a set of 11 learning cards. Each card focuses on a separate topic, such as First impressions and Patient-centred care, and includes key learning points and top tips. The cards are held together with a binding ring, making it easy to hang them up in the pharmacy in an accessible place so that everyone can refer to them. The ring can also be easily opened so that single cards can be removed and shared among staff.

Who is it for?

CPPE has developed this resource with dispensing assistants, medicine counter assistants and other patient-facing staff, such as delivery drivers, in mind. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians will also find the cards useful as a quick reminder of the key effective consultation skills and as a teaching tool for the pharmacy team.

How do I use it?

Every member of the pharmacy team can use this resource for individual learning or as a teaching tool. A user guide is provided to help teams get started, and each card provides activities and top tips.

What are the activities?

Many of the activities involve watching videos. This provides teams with a great opportunity to observe and critique the skills and behaviours of pharmacy assistants in action. Some of the activities include links to challenges on CPPE’s Consultation skills floor on www.theLearningpharmacy.com.

What is theLearningpharmacy.com?

It is an online learning environment for the whole community pharmacy team. It provides interactive, bite-sized learning challenges on a wide range of topics. Pharmacy team members can work through these challenges on their own or together and can use the challenges to teach other members of the team.

How do I get a set of the consultation skills cards?

CPPE is posting a set of cards to every community pharmacy in England and every pharmacy should receive their copy by the end of February. Teams can also email CPPE at info@cppe.ac.uk to request a copy if one has not arrived. PDF versions of the cards and a user guide are available to download from the Consultation skills for pharmacy practice website.