e-Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2021

Advancing Cancer Pharmacy Practice – SHPA Advanced Training Residency in Cancer Services (#351)

Hayley Vasileff 1 2 , John Coutsouvelis 2 3 , Shaun O'Connor 2 4 , Michael Powell 2 5 , Gail Rowan 2 6 , Jim Siderov 2 7 , Amanda Tey 2 8 , Jenny Chen 9 10 , Daniel Guidone 1 10
  1. SA Pharmacy, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  2. Oncology and Haematology Leadership Committee, The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia, Collingwood, Victoria , Australia
  3. The Alfred Hospital Pharmacy Department, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria , Australia
  4. Pharmacy Department, St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Victoria , Australia
  5. Pharmacy Department, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Southport, Queensland, Australia
  6. Pharmacy Department, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria , Australia
  7. Pharmacy Department, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria , Australia
  8. Pharmacy Department, Monash Health, Melbourne, Victoria , Australia
  9. Pharmacy Department, Eastern Health, Melbourne, Victoria , Australia
  10. Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia, Collingwood, Victoria , Australia

Unlike cancer doctors, Australian cancer pharmacists do not have a recognised training and career progression pathway to support professional development and provide recognition of this pharmacy specialty. To address this, in 2020 the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) developed an Advanced Training Residency in Cancer Services (ATR Cancer). SHPA ATRs provide a two-year structured workplace training program for pharmacists seeking to advance their practice in a defined practice area.

Australian cancer pharmacy training programs and international cancer pharmacy residency programs and curricula were identified and reviewed. These, and the expertise of a panel of experienced Australian cancer pharmacists, were used to inform the ATR Cancer requirements. The ATR Cancer underwent external consultation by organisations including the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia.

The ATR Cancer can be undertaken with an Adult or Paediatric patient focus. It includes at least 18 months of direct patient care in cancer including inpatient and outpatient pharmacy services to patients with malignant haematological and oncological conditions.

The ATR Cancer defines the characteristics of cancer pharmacists across the Advancing Pharmacy Practice Framework. It also provides a knowledge guide as a curricula for cancer pharmacy, defining the advanced knowledge and skills a pharmacist in cancer services should possess by the end of the ATR program. The ATR Cancer outlines the activities and workplace-based assessments to support and demonstrate a resident’s attainment of knowledge, skills, experiences and behaviours throughout a cancer residency.

The SHPA ATR Cancer is the first Australian nation-wide workplace training program for pharmacists specialising in cancer and to date 2 residents have enrolled. It also serves as a professional development guide for Australian cancer pharmacists. It is an important development in the provision of cancer pharmacy training in Australia and in ensuring a skilled cancer pharmacy workforce.