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What is the DOPs LX? 

The Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS) is a Workplace Based Assessment (WBA) tool that can be used to provide formative assessment as part of an approved training and development program and/or for inclusion towards ANZCAP recognition. 

It can be used to facilitate exploration of a pharmacist's professional critical thinking and problem-solving skills through real-time completion of a procedural skill. 

The main outcome of the interaction between pharmacist and collaborator should be to promote feedback and reflection of on current professional practice (critical thinking and problem solving) in a chosen professional setting or topic. 

Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS) Process 

 The process for completing a DOPS is as follows: 

A DOPs should be conducted in an appropriate working space that lends itself to privacy due to patient confidently and pharmacist comfort. 

Choosing a Procedure 

Examples

• Dispensing medications 

• Use of digital prescriptions 

• Simple compounding procedures 

• Schedule 8 stock management 

• Monitored medicines processes 

• Stock management processes 

• Cold Chain processes 

• Data management processes (Immunisation register, My Health Record, eScripts, Professional Services software, Active Script List) 

• Dispensing process for Special Access Scheme (SAS) medications 

• Aseptic technique 

• Engaging in a Partnered Pharmacist Charting discussion with the medical registrar 

Ideally  Ideally a DOPs should be conducted in real time so that the collaborator(s) can observe the pharmacist completing the procedure. However, due to availability/timing of the choosing procedure in practice the collaborator and pharmacist may engage in reflection and feedback discussion retrospectively.  

Prior to the DOP the pharmacist and collaborator should confirm the practice recognition level that the DOPs will allow the pharmacist to show. Alternatively, a workplace may have a list of appropriate procedures for each clinical area.

Practice Recognition Level 

The DOPs Learning Experience is mapped to:

• Domain 1 of the National Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacists in Australia 2016. Please note that not all the domain 1 indicators listed in this document may be relevant to this Learning Experience.

• Domain 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7 of the Competence Standards for Pharmacists in Aotearoa New Zealand Pharmacists, 2023. Please note that not all the Domain 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7 behaviours listed in these competence standards may be relevant to this Learning Experience

Please refer to the ANZCAP recognition descriptors article for the further guidance on markers of performance for each ANZCAP recognition level. The pharmacist and collaborator should indicate in the Learning Experience which of the three levels of practice recognition (resident, register, consultant) they are currently practicing at or a candidate for. 

Complexity 

In some scenarios the same procedure may be used for pharmacists aiming for different levels of practice recognition. However, the complexity and expected knowledge and skills expected to be displayed will vary. 

The pharmacist and collaborator should come to an agreement on the complexity (low, medium or high) of the case in relation to the level of recognition the pharmacist is practicing at.

Collaborator 

The collaborator must be familiar with the Direct Observation of Procedure (DOPs) process. 

The Collaborator must ensure that they have the required expertise and scope of practice to confidently provide the candidate with feedback on the setting/topic being assessed in the DOP. 

Collaborators may come from a variety of health professional backgrounds e.g. pharmacy, medical, surgical. 

Further guidance for collaborators involved in this learning experience can be found here. 

Reflection, Feedback & Goal Setting 

The main aim of the DOP as a Learning Experience is to promote feedback and reflection of on a pharmacist's professional problems solving and critical thinking skills in a chosen direct procedure. This feedback can cover the outcomes of the procedure but also the justification for the steps taken. 

Skill Evaluation

Within the DOPS LX there are key skills (and descriptors) that the pharmacist and collaborator should discuss during the feedback and reflection. Each skill should be evaluated with comments from the discussion and a marker of; Not yet met, meets or exceeds.

Feedback

The DOPS LX encourages use of the Pendleton feedback method to guide reflection. This method encourages self-reflection and proactive discussions for development. 

Development Goals

The pharmacist and collaborator are encouraged to utilize the SMART goal technique to develop any learning or development goals that are identified from the reflection and feedback discussion. 

Forms and Templates 

Evidence of the DOP is documented directly into the ANZCAP digital platform as a Collaborative Learning Experience (LX). For further step by step instructions on how to do this please refer to the How to complete a Learning Experience article.

If ANZCAP members wish to use a DOP form from their own organisation, the completed form may be uploaded into the Supporting Evidence section of the LX. (Please note that for the LX to become validated the candidate must still complete all sections marked with an asterisk (*) and the collaborator must document their involvement via the electronic collaborator declaration process).

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