Learning outcomes - Specialised master in hospital pharmacy

The training is intended to equip students with the essential theoretical and practical knowledge and skills required for employment as a hospital pharmacist, as referred to in the Ministerial Decree of 22 October 2012 (Belgian Monitor of 03/12/2012) setting the criteria to be met in order to qualify for the position of hospital pharmacist. The areas of expertise are wide and varied, and this diversity is reflected in the training programme.

By way of example, the term “medications” is used in the broadest sense. Among other interpretations, the term "medications" refers to: proprietary medicine, compounding, common pharmaceutical products, antiseptics and disinfectants, registered health foods, implantable medical devices, products undergoing clinical trials and samples intended for use on hospitalised patients. The training also allows the acquisition of special and cross-disciplinary skills, which are essential.

On successful completion of this programme, each student is able to :

1. Assimilate knowledge in the areas defined by the Ministerial Decree and apply them to professional practice

The theory training covers five main areas (Ministerial decree of 20/12/2012).

1. Hospital organisation and management:
a) The hospital: Legislation and organisation of hospitals – Legislation of pharmacovigilance and materiovigilance - Management and quality of care
b) The hospital pharmacy: Legislation - General tasks - Specific tasks

2. Fighting and preventing infection:
a) Hospital hygiene; b) Microbiology; c) Sterilisation and disinfection; d) Antibiotherapy and antibioprophylaxy; e) Vaccines

3. Pharmacotherapy:
a) Physiopathology; b) Pharmacotherapy and pharmacokinetics; c) Clinical trials d) Clinical pharmacy

4. Hospital technology
a) Pharmaceutical preparations in hospitals; b) Enteral and parenteral food products c) Medical devices; d) Advanced therapy medications

5. Radiopharmacy

The practical training (work placements) covers the following modules (Ministerial decree of 20/12/2012):

Part 1
a) Organisation and management of hospital pharmacy; organisation and management of medication distribution, including command of the processes, management of medication quality and information
b) Clinical trials

Part 2:
a) Fighting infections, including hospital hygiene and central sterilisation
b) Management of antibiotherapy and antibioprophylaxy
c) Organisation and management of the medical device circuit, including the activities falling within the remit of the Medical Equipment Committee

Part 3:
a) Clinical pharmacy and pharmaceutical care
b) Activities falling within the remit of the Medico-Pharmaceutical Committee

Part 4:
Preparation and division activities, best preparation practices and quality assurance:
a) Oncological preparations and high-risk products
b) Other preparations, including pharmaceutical preparations and sterile preparations
c) Radiopharmacy.

2. understand and apply the legislation and standards relating to the duties of a hospital pharmacist as defined by the Royal Decree of 4 March 1991 stipulating the standards which a hospital dispensary must satisfy in order to be approved (Belgian Monitor of 23 March 1991)

The duties of a hospital pharmacist fall into three categories: general duties, specific duties and administrative duties.
- The general duties include the dispensing, preparation, supply, preservation, analysis and quality control of medications
- There are four types of specific duty: (1) clinical activities, in direct contact with patients and members of healthcare teams (these activities include, among others, clinical pharmacy activities); (2) collaboration with the Medical Council, the Nursing Council and the Ethics Committee; (3) active participation on the Hospital Hygiene Committee, the Medico-Pharmaceutical Committee and the Medical Equipment and Implantable Medical Devices Committee; (4) Quality control of day-to-day central sterilisation
- The administrative duties relate to staff management, the preparation and monitoring of budgets, billing the Social Security Department and patients for medications.

3. manage, evaluate and improve the system for using medications in a hospital setting to ensure that it is effective, safe and efficient (medications in the broad meaning of the word, therefore including implantable medical devices and sterile equipment)

4. ensure that medications are dispensed carefully and thoroughly in the hospital

5. assimilate and apply the principles of sterile or non-sterile preparation in the hospital

6. provide pharmaceutical care

7. be solely responsible for maintaining permanent security

8. develop and execute a research project on the practice of hospital pharmacy using a scientific approach

The research project will culminate in the presentation of a dissertation. This will take place in the 3rd year of training, in a specific field related to the skills of a hospital pharmacist.

9. work as part of a team and with professionals from other disciplines

The hospital pharmacist must continually work with other professionals (doctors, nurses, administrators, etc.). This interdisciplinary work is highlighted as part of a number of theoretical courses, where members of different professions teach courses together (e.g. a hospital pharmacist with a doctor responsible for quality; a nurse with a specialist doctor; a hospital clinical pharmacist with a specialist doctor). This interdisciplinary approach is also implemented and assessed within the framework of practical training. This objective is systematically included in the assessment forms for each work placement.

10. communicate appropriately, in writing and verbally, with patients and with other pharmacists and health professionals

11. operate in accordance with the ethical, legal and deontological framework of the profession

12. identify their own learning needs, set objectives and work to achieve them