National Centre for Remote and Rural Health and Care: Information Hub

Project background: What and Why

The Dispensing GP Practices Education Programme Evaluation aims to evaluate a new NES training package for general practices operating dispensing services in remote, rural and Island (RRI) areas of Scotland. These practices play a vital role in areas where access to community pharmacies is limited, and yet they often face staffing, training and regulatory challenges.

Bespoke training, developed by the National Centre for Remote and Rural Health and Care, aims to address these challenges by aligning with Scottish regulations and focusing on the realities of RRI dispensing.

This evaluation will examine whether the training meets its learning objectives were met, ide and supports workforce development through enhancing the skills and knowledge of remote, rural and Island general practice teams.  

The objectives are:  

• To assess the effectiveness of the education programme. 
• To measure improvements in participants’ knowledge, skills and confidence.. 

Understand how the training is experienced in different practice contexts

Project description: Who and How

The evaluation is led by the National Centre’s Research & Evaluation team, working closely with NC education specialists, dispensing teams, practice managers, and regulatory stakeholders.

A realist evaluation approach is being used, drawing on Kirkpatrick’s Four-Level Model to understand:

• How participants respond to and engage with the training
• What they learn and how they apply it
• How practices support learning
• What the wider impacts are on workforce development and medication safety

Mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) are being used to capture diverse experiences across different practice settings.

Expected outcome:  When and What Difference

The evaluation is scheduled for completion in March 2026.

Key outputs will include:

• A realist-informed evaluation report detailing findings and recommendations
• An executive summary for wider dissemination
• Insights to inform workforce development strategies for RRI dispensing practices

The evaluation will support continuous improvement of the training and help ensure RRI dispensing teams are equipped with the knowledge and skills to deliver safe, patient-centred care.