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What is the Autonomous QiPAT LX?

The Autonomous Quality Improvement Project Assessment (QiPAT) Learning Experience is an Autonomous Learning Experience (LX) that can be used to document and self-reflect on a pharmacist's contribution to a quality improvement project within their team, organization or profession and encourage self-reflection of the skills utilized during the project.

It is a Workplace Based Assessment (WBA) tool that can be used for inclusion towards ANZCAP recognition.

The main outcome of the LX is to record evidence of current professional practice in a situation that utilizes skills such as communication, project management, process change theory, innovation and leadership.

Examples 

• Review of factors contributing to near miss dispensing errors and implementation of a new dispensing checklist.

• Review of vaccination service to ensure compliance with all relevant requirements (reporting, strive for 5, service delivery etc). 

• Completing Quality Care 2020 remedial actions* 

*Denotes Learning Experiences that may assist in meeting Quality Care 2020 requirements

Autonomous QiPAT Process 

Choosing a QiPAT Situation 

There is a wide variety of skills or situations that may be appropriate for reflection using the QiPAT LX. See some suggested examples above. Ideally an QiPAT should focus on a project that has been completed to allow the pharmacist to also consider the outcomes of the scenario. Ultimately the exact scenario, role played, and the skills expected by the pharmacist will depend upon the practice recognition level they are aiming to meet. 

Learning Experience Details

The QiPAT LX requires the pharmacist to document the following information:

Date

Document the date that the experience or activity was completed.

Brief Description

Provide a brief description of the experience. Some examples of the type of information that may be included in this section are:

• the pharmacist's role in the experience

• a summary of what was involved in the experience

• why the experience aligns with this type of LX (i.e. what knowledge and skills does it show)

• impact of the experience on professional practice and/or

• the specific enabling competencies that apply to this experience (see practice recognition level section below).

Area of Practice

Provide details of the area of practice associated with the quality improvement process. This is a free text area which allows subspecialities or multiple areas to be documented. However the areas documented may align with the ANZCAP speciality areas of practice.

Practice Recognition Level and Complexity

The QiPAT Learning Experience is mapped to:

• Domain 4 & 5 of the National Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacists in Australia 2016. Please note that not all the domain 4 & 5 indicators listed in this document may be relevant to this Learning Experience.

• Domain 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 of the Competence Standards for Pharmacists in Aotearoa New Zealand Pharmacists, 2023. Please note that not all the Domain 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 behaviours listed in these competence standards may be relevant to this Learning Experience.

The pharmacist must identify a quality improvement project opportunity that applies to their current level of practice (e.g. ANZCAP resident, registrar or consultant) and area of specialty.

Please refer to the ANZCAP recognition descriptors article for the further guidance on markers of performance for each ANZCAP recognition level.

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

Collaborator 

Pharmacists may have engaged in discussion with professional peers, mentors or managers to encourage reflective practice. However, this is an Autonomous Learning Experience and therefore the final submission should be completed by the pharmacist without collaboration. 

Reflection & Goal Setting

The pharmacist is encouraged to utilize the SMART goal technique to develop any learning or development goals that are identified from self-reflection after the experience. 

Forms and Templates 

Evidence of the quality improvement activity is documented directly into the ANZCAP digital platform as an Autonomous 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 QiPAT 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 *.

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