Journal of Pharmacy Management - Jan 2022

Consultant and GP mentor complementary roles The study suggests that there are benefits for having a mentor and coach for new PCN pharmacists, including provision of a holistic perspective and pharmaceutically-focused support for individual complex cases, group reflection and discussion of role- related challenges and managing workload which all contributed to building PCN pharmacists’ confidence in practice. This aligns with the experience of a PCN pharmacist as described in an article published by The Pharmaceutical Journal. In the article Dass (2019) discusses how prior to receiving mentoring, the new PCN role in GPs can feel “emotionally challenging and isolating” - a phrase which reflects the emotions felt by the PCN pharmacists interviewed. Dass states how after receiving mentoring and using reflection as a wellbeing technique “It has helped me to process the feelings that patients can evoke during consultations, and now I can leave those feelings at the practice when I go home” (Dass, 2019). This reflective support aligns with the normative, formative and restorative model which was used in the coaching andmentoring the PCN pharmacists in the study received. Restorative support reduces the emotional burden experienced on a day-to-day basis allowing a more positive mindset when approaching the workplace. The results of this study, in relation to the benefit of mentoring and coaching, aligns with benefits of coaching for doctors and nurses as spoken by doctors themselves on the NHS website. Dr Amit Bharkhada, a GP Partner, began to use the #LookingAfterYouToo coaching service provided by the NHS during the COVID-19 pandemic and stated “that the coach was able to listen and understand the situations that he was describing and explained how he felt that he was “connecting with someone who was very professional in their role, who was being really objective and providing valuable coaching techniques.” This highlights the importance of coaching and mentoring across all medical professions and therefore could be considered when aiding the professional development and personal wellbeing of healthcare staff. It appeared that the PCN pharmacists saw the GP lead role as important for immediate and direct clinical support to provide optimal patient care, while the consultant pharmacist provided a more pharmaceutically focused view, while retaining a holistic perspective on reflection and discussion of cases. The group discussions that the pharmacists had with the consultant pharmacist offered a different perspective on how to interact with patients in difficult situations. It also helped reassure them that when dealing with complex conversations there are multiple ways to approach the consultation. This work suggests that there were some differences between the GP lead and the PCN pharmacists’ perception of the impact and benefit of the work of the consultant pharmacist role. It was recognised that the pandemic situation reduced the frequency and regularity of communication between the GP and consultant pharmacist and. significantly limited availability to have joint meetings between the GP mentor and manager. Benefits to the practice This study suggests that PCN pharmacists’ confidence in undertaking their roles improved with coaching and Journal of Pharmacy Management • Volume 38 • Issue 1 • January 2022 19