The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Foundation and the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) are inviting pharmacists to submit proposals for a collaborative research grant in the field of pharmacist certification.
Applications for the grant, which is worth €5,000, are open to qualified investigators and pharmacists based outside of the USA who are interested in conducting research related to the impact of pharmacist board certification on specialisation and advanced practice.
To be eligible, the research projects must address key research areas, including:
- Patients and/or outcomes (e.g. adherence, quality of life, patient satisfaction, health literacy);
- Healthcare systems (e.g. medication safety, cost avoidance, drug-related problems, admissions/readmissions, emergency department visits, institutional credentialing and privileging);
- Interprofessional collaboration (e.g. recognition, perception, increased efficiency in providing care); and/or
- Pharmacist employment, professional development, and/or wellbeing (e.g. job satisfaction, retention, career advancement).
Commenting on the grant, Dr Jenelle Sobotka, chair of the FIP Foundation, said: ‘The FIP Foundation is delighted with this new collaboration with the Board of Pharmacy Specialties to support grants for research on the expanding specialisation areas of pharmacist expertise and board certification.
‘We look forward to the future research results that will provide insights to the profession regarding the impact of these specialties on patients, healthcare systems and employment.’
Applications are open until 1 May 2024. The grant awardee will be recognised during the 82nd FIP World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in September, and the final research report will be suitable for publication in the International Pharmacy Journal.
The FIP Foundation supports the education and research of pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists within the general fields of design, development, manufacture, distribution and responsible use of medicines. It also aims to expand the role of the pharmacist in charitable projects towards better global health.
Part of the American Pharmacists Association, the BPS aims to improve patient care by recognising and promoting specialised training, knowledge and skills for pharmacists worldwide.
BPS currently recognises more than 60,800 active certifications across 15 specialties, including over 7,500 certifications held by pharmacists outside of the USA.
