Share your views: Foundation Trainee Pharmacist Supervisors experience of community of practice
Community pharmacist Supervisors for Foundation Trainee Pharmacists (FTP) are invited to participate in a research study seeking to evaluate how practice-based supervisors in pharmacy experience a community of practice (CoP).
The study seeks volunteers to participate in virtual CoP activities including, facilitator-led meetings, problem-solving deliberations and asynchronous discussions.
What is a CoP?
A CoP is an informal network of professionals who learn, develop, and benchmark together through the regular exchange of ideas and experiences. A team from the University of Hertfordshire has established a CoP aiming to help members navigate the everyday challenges of supervising a Foundation Trainee Pharmacist (FTP). The study is to understand how FTP supervisors experience a CoP, what works and for whom it works.
How the CoP Works
- Six 1-hour virtual meetings held every other month across the training year (lunchtime and repeated in the evening).
- Continuous collaboration via Padlet for asynchronous discussions and convenient resource sharing.
- Inclusion of a diverse membership featuring supervisors of all experience levels to foster rich knowledge exchange.
Note: By joining the CoP, you agree to participate in its evaluation study.
Supervisors will undertake pre- and post-intervention capability reviews, evaluation questionnaires and participate in a CoP evaluation interview.
Designated Supervisors (DS) and Designated Prescribing Practitioners (DPP) supervising a Foundation Trainee Pharmacist in England in the 2026/27 foundation training year are invited to register their interest.
Closing date for expressions of interest is 18th November 2026.
For more information, contact the principal investigator, Nikkie Umaru, n.e.umaru@herts.ac.uk
