FAQ:Skills for MURs

Skills for MURS - Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Skills for MURs?

Skills for MURs is a distance learning course that will enable pharmacists to gain accreditation to provide MURs as an Advanced Service under the 2005 community pharmacy contract for England and Wales.

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2. Who is responsible for developing the programme?

Skills for MURs is a PSNC-endorsed distance learning course that has been developed by the Medway School of Pharmacy in conjunction with the Chemist+Druggist. It is supported by an educational grant from GSK Plus.

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3. How much does it cost?

The Learning Materials cost £35 + VAT and the Assessment costs £65 + VAT. You can purchase both elements together or separately.

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4. Where can I get the Learning Materials?

You can purchase the learning materials from www.skillsformurs.co.uk (click on the 'Register' button on the home page), or by telephone from Chemist+Druggist on 0207 921 8425. Credit/debit card purchases only.

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5. How will I be assessed?

Assessment is carried out online at www.skillsformurs.co.uk. You will be presented with a series of Case Studies. Each Case Study includes a patient history and PMR, and a video of a patient consultation. Having reviewed the material, you have to fill in an MUR form by selecting the most appropriate recommendations for the issues that have been identified and completing the MUR Action Plan. You have 40 minutes to complete each Case Study. You have to successfully complete three Case Studies, but you do not have to do them all at the same time.

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6. What happens if I fail a Case Study?

You move on and attempt another one, either straight away or later. You may fail up to two Case Studies - or, to put it another way, you have three lives to pass the three Case Studies. If you use up all three lives and have not successfully completed three Case Studies then you will have to register
(and pay) to take the Assessment again.

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7. Can I get feedback if I fail a case study?

Should you fail a case study we are unable to give individual feedback as firstly there is no record of what answers you as an individual selected and secondly we cannot give out the answers as this will render the assessment worthless. We are however able to talk to you about the process in general and should you wish to please call Kinna McConochie on 0207 921 8413.

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8. What are the time limits?

Once you have registered you have 12 months to complete three Case Studies successfully. Once you have attempted the first case study you will have six months to complete all three case studies successfully.

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9. Do I have to do this course to get accredited?

You will need to complete this or another accredited MUR training course to provide an MUR Service.

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10. I have already done a postgraduate clinical pharmacy course. Do I have to do this course before taking the assessment?

For pharmacists who have existing skills in this area, the completion of any course prior to undertaking a competency assessment is not obligatory. In other words, you can put yourself through the Assessment whenever you feel fit to do so.

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11. Why is my ethnic origin required on the registration form?

The Skills for MURs course has been validated by the Universities of Greenwich and Kent, and as such the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) requires that we collect this information to ensure there is no discrimination. This information will not be used for any other purpose.

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12. What "current qualifications" should I list?

This is a Masters level programme that requires a degree or equivalent, eg BPharm, for entry. Applications will be rejected if this information is absent. Your qualifications should include your original undergraduate pharmaceutical degree (Bachelors or Masters), membership of the GPhC/PSNI, any postgraduate Diploma, Certificate, MSc or PhD.

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13. What are the University regulations referred to and will I receive a copy of these?

The University regulations outline how the University will treat you as a student and what is expected of you, for example in relation to originality of work submitted. The regulations can be viewed at www.kent.ac.uk

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14. Can pre-registration pharmacy graduates register?

Yes. Obtaining a Practice Certificate in Medicines Use Reviews will provide you with an excellent opportunity to take forward and widen your employment opportunities in your new career.

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15. How will PCTs know that I have completed the programme?

A temporary Certificate can be downloaded from www.skillsformurs.co.uk once you have successfully completed the Assessment. You can copy this to the appropriate person within your PCT. In due course a proper Certificate will be sent to you by the Medway School of Pharmacy.

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16. I already have a PhD/MSc. Do I need to do the course?

No, but you do need to do the Assessment. You can proceed directly to the Assessment if you feel you do not need a 'refresher' on the course content. Registration is linked to the formal competency assessment and enables you to demonstrate current competence in the area of Medicines Use Review.

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17. Who can I talk to about the course?

E-mail pharmacytraining@ubm.com or call the course administrator on 0207 921 8425.

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