This is the information prescriptions online resource

6.3 Training and support: Core competences

To develop and put in place IP, prescribers, dispensers and users and carers may all need some level of training and support. This may be of several kinds: IT, informal and formal and information giving training, and the development of advocacy and support skills.

It also needs to be targeted to ensure it reflects how different staff groups will take up their information giving roles.For example, those who will be closely involved in coordinating IP systems or who have a lead role in prescribing or dispensing, will clearly need more dedicated and structured training.

Other factors you will need to consider include: the complexity of the condition(s) in question; the range, type and existing expertise of stakeholders involved and your particular IP system and process.

IP training and core competences

Training should support the development of a number of core competences:

  • IP co-ordination and management - including skills in stakeholder engagement, needs assessment, influencing skills, capacity building, communication, health information management, designing and developing databases and information quality assurance.
  • Basic introduction to IP systems - how to use and complete your IP template(s), understand and use your directories, and keep records of information prescribing.
  • Advanced information giving and support - including skills of communication, needs analysis, counselling, advocacy and information management with an understanding of equality and diversity.
Competency level Core competency Training provision

IP system management and co-ordination
  • Needs assessment (using and interpreting patient, performance and demographic data)
  • Stakeholder engagement (qualitative and quantitative engagement skills)
  • Appraising information and knowledge
  • Presentation skills
  • Negotiation skills (to influence decision making)
  • Facilitation skills (to build relationships and partnerships)
  • Maintains knowledge of new information sources
  • Information quality assurance skills
  • Database design and management
  • Presentation and communication training
  • Stakeholder engagement processes and techniques
  • Facilitation skills

Advanced information giving, advocacy and support
  • Information sharing and record keeping
  • Listening and communication
  • Advocacy skills
  • Understanding equalities and diversity
  • Basic counselling skills
  • Equality and diversity training
  • Advanced communication training
  • Basic counselling skills

Basic information giving
  • Using database search engines
  • Completing IP templates
  • Dispensing information sources from directories
  • Using national directories (once they are developed)
  • Basic IT training on using websites and online directories
  • Basic training on prescribing and dispensing skills, depending on the approach used locally

Many of these competences are covered already by existing National Occupations Standards and National Workforce competences. An example of this is the Health Informatics suite of competences developed by Skills for Health. This covers competences such as 'collecting and validating information' and 'appraising information and knowledge resources'. The framework on Project Management on the Skills for Health site also covers many of these areas.

On the next page: case study examples from the pilot sites