RPS launches survey to create new online pharmacists network

RPS launches survey to create new online pharmacists network

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has launched a new survey that will help to develop a new online community to facilitate pharmacists’ networking.

The proposed online community of pharmacists network will help pharmacists to remain connected as the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way in which people interact and that the future is about a blended model of face-to-face and digital connections.

The survey will take approximately five to 10 minutes to complete and will remain live until February 21. All information provided will be confidential and responses will be completely anonymous, the RPS said, adding that data collected will not be passed on to third parties or used for any other purposes.

The RPS workforce mental health and wellbeing survey last autumn showed that some pharmacists are feeling isolated, so it is working to create an online community to help keep pharmacists connected.

“RPS wants to build a mobile-friendly service that meets the needs of its members. The new survey is looking for views on networking generally, how the new community should function and whether this type of service will be a valuable resource,” RPS said.

Clare Morrison, RPS director for Scotland and lead for the networking project, said: “We heard clearly in our wellbeing survey that some pharmacists are feeling isolated. Creating an online community is part of what we are doing to support better wellbeing among the pharmacy profession.

“But we really need pharmacists’ help to get this new service right. Whenever a new service is created, it is essential to involve the people who will actually use it in the service design. That’s why we are so keen for pharmacists to be involved in shaping what our new online community will look like.”

The survey looks to gain insights from those in England, Scotland and Wales and RPS welcomes responses from all pharmacists working across sectors, both RPS members and non-members, as well as pharmaceutical scientists and pharmacy students.