GP simulation for trainee pharmacists: to enhance multisector placements and build prescribing skills

Since 2019, we have been utilising our Electronic Health Record (EHR) simulation suite to provide trainee pharmacists with an immersive, hands-on learning experience. The simulation enables trainees to work through realistic clinical case studies covering a wide range of topics throughout their training year. These cases replicate tasks encountered in practice, such as interpreting blood tests, conducting medication reviews, deprescribing, and initiating new prescriptions. By engaging with these scenarios, trainees gain practical exposure to decision-making processes that mirror real-world clinical environments.

One of the key strengths of the EHR simulation is its ability to enhance multisector placements. Trainees can experience workflows and challenges from different sectors of pharmacy practice—such as hospital, community, and primary care—within a single, integrated platform. This approach helps bridge gaps between sectors, fostering a more holistic understanding of patient care and improving confidence when transitioning between settings.

Feedback from trainees consistently highlights the value of this simulation in building prescribing skills and reinforcing clinical knowledge. Many report an increased awareness of relevant clinical guidelines and commend the opportunity to “learn by doing” in a safe environment. While the realism of the simulation can feel daunting at first, trainees appreciate that mistakes can be made without real-world consequences, allowing them to reflect, adapt, and grow. This experiential learning model not only strengthens clinical competence but also promotes critical thinking and professional resilience.

Overall, the EHR simulation has become a cornerstone of our training approach, delivering tangible benefits for both trainees and the wider healthcare system. By combining authenticity with safety, it equips future pharmacists with the confidence and skills needed to provide high-quality, patient-centered care across diverse practice settings.

GP simulation for undergraduate pharmacy students – University of Bradford ( NHSE placement expansion programme)

In 2022, the University of Bradford partnered with our team to deliver a full-day clinical simulation experience for approximately 300 undergraduate pharmacy students across various stages of their degree. This initiative was part of the NHS England (NHSE) placement expansion programme and aimed to address a long-standing challenge: the limited availability of General Practice placements for pharmacy students due to NHS tariff funding constraints.

To bridge this gap, we utilized a General Practice Electronic Health Record (EHR) simulation suite. Students began with an introductory session on the role and functionality of EHR systems in primary care, followed by hands-on case-based activities. These exercises covered key aspects of general practice, including:

• Accessing and navigating patient records
• Making and updating clinical notes
• Issuing medicines and prescriptions
• Entering diagnoses with appropriate clinical coding
• Processing clinical documentation
• Reviewing laboratory and imaging investigations
• Communicating effectively with colleagues
• Generating clinical reports

Outcomes and Impact

The simulation day provided students with a realistic and immersive experience of working within a General Practice setting. Historically, universities have struggled to offer such exposure due to funding limitations, making this project a significant step forward in preparing future pharmacists for primary care roles.

Key benefits and impact included:

• Enhanced Preparedness: Students gained practical insights into primary care workflows, improving readiness for placements and employment.
• Curriculum Integration: The simulation helped consolidate classroom learning by applying concepts in a realistic setting, reinforcing theoretical knowledge.
• Addressing Placement Gaps: By offering a high-quality alternative to traditional placements, the project mitigated the impact of funding limitations and expanded experiential learning opportunities.
• Positive Student Experience: Feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Students reported feeling more confident about entering General Practice environments and strongly recommended incorporating more sessions of this nature into the curriculum.

Overall, the project successfully bridged the gap between academic learning and real-world practice, equipping pharmacy students with essential skills and confidence for future roles in primary care.

Hospital EPMA simulation for Physicians Associates – University of Bradford

Since 2024, we have been commissioned by the University of Bradford to deliver hospital simulation workshops for Physician Associate (PA) students. These sessions use a hospital Electronic Health Record (EHR) simulation platform, providing students with a realistic environment to experience clinical workflows and decision-making processes. The workshops are designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world practice, helping students understand the complexities of hospital systems and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Learning Outcomes

Through these simulations, PA students achieve several key learning outcomes:

• Familiarity with EPMA systems and their role in modern healthcare.
• Understanding benefits and risks associated with electronic prescribing and medicines administration.
• Insight into emerging healthcare roles within acute hospital settings.
• Development of drug history and medicines reconciliation skills, essential for safe patient care.
• Hands-on experience with clinical tasks using an EPMA system.
• Enhanced clinical knowledge around medicines optimisation.

Prescribing Simulation and Role Reflection

Although Physician Associates cannot currently prescribe in practice, they play a vital role in recommending treatments to prescribers. To support this, prescribing activities are incorporated into the workshops, enabling students to think critically about the clinical decision-making process. This approach encourages reflection on their own responsibilities and how they can streamline communication and collaboration with prescribing colleagues.

Impact and Student Feedback

Feedback from PA students has been overwhelmingly positive. Many report that the simulation provides a deeper understanding of hospital operations and the roles of different healthcare professionals. Students have highlighted that these sessions reduce anxiety about entering clinical environments and reinforce university course content. They particularly value the opportunity to practice prescribing tasks in a safe setting, which helps build confidence and prepares them for real-world challenges. There is strong demand for more sessions of this nature, as they offer practical experience that complements theoretical learning.

Introduction to General Practice course

Since its launch in 2018, our Introduction to General Practice course has been designed to bridge a critical gap in training for pharmacy professionals entering the rapidly evolving landscape of primary care. Over the past several years, pharmacists have increasingly become integral members of general practice teams, with General Practice now recognised as one of the three key sectors of pharmacy practice alongside community and hospital pharmacy. Despite this growth, structured experience and training opportunities in General Practice have remained limited—our course was developed to address this need.

Impact and Benefits

The course provides attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the roles of pharmacy professionals and the wider multidisciplinary team within General Practice. Through interactive learning and practical exercises, participants gain insight into how pharmacists contribute to patient care, medicines optimisation, and clinical decision-making in this setting. By equipping pharmacy professionals with the knowledge and skills required to thrive in General Practice, the course supports workforce development and enhances patient safety and care quality.

A key feature of the course is its hands-on approach. Using simulated electronic health record (EHR) case studies, attendees experience real-world tasks undertaken by pharmacy professionals in General Practice. This immersive training allows participants to build confidence and competence in core activities such as:

• Accessing and interpreting patient records
• Making clinical entries and issuing medicines
• Entering diagnoses with appropriate clinical coding
• Processing clinical documentation and reviewing investigations
• Communicating effectively with colleagues
• Generating clinical reports

Why This Matters

By providing practical exposure and structured learning, the Introduction to General Practice course has helped hundreds of pharmacy professionals develop the skills needed to integrate seamlessly into general practice teams. This not only benefits individual career progression but also strengthens primary care services, ensuring patients receive safe, effective, and coordinated care.

Introduction to hospital course

Since 2023, our Introduction to Hospital Pharmacy course has been supporting pharmacy professionals who are interested in hospital careers but often feel uncertain about applying for roles. Many primary care pharmacy professionals experience anxiety about hospital positions due to limited knowledge of hospital pharmacy roles and a perceived clinical skills gap. At the same time, hospitals frequently face challenges in recruiting candidates with the right skills and confidence. Our course was designed to address these issues by providing structured, practical learning that builds confidence and competence.

Impact and Benefits

Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive. Attendees report that the course has given them the confidence to apply for hospital roles, improved their interview skills, and provided valuable insight into hospital pharmacy careers. The hands-on clinical case studies, delivered through simulated Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (EPMA) systems, have helped learners recognise that their existing clinical skills are transferable to hospital practice. This reassurance, combined with practical experience, has empowered professionals to take the next step in their careers.

Key Learning Outcomes

Through the use of simulated clinical tasks using an EPMA system, participants:

• Gain familiarity with EPMA systems and understand their background
• Demonstrate awareness of the benefits and risks of EPMA in clinical practice
• Gain insight into the emerging roles of pharmacists in acute hospital settings
• Develop drug history-taking and medicines reconciliation skills
• Build clinical knowledge around medicines optimisation

Why This Matters

The Introduction to Hospital Pharmacy course not only helps individuals overcome barriers to entering hospital practice but also supports hospitals in recruiting skilled, confident pharmacy professionals.