Objective: To provide national consensus and establish priorities with regards to the factors that promote the implementation and continued development of non-medical prescribing within health services.
Design: Classic e-Delphi survey.
Setting: National study in Wales.
Participants: Pharmacists, nurses and allied health professionals with the independent/supplementary prescribing qualification.
Results: A total of 55 non-medical prescribers agreed to become members of the expert panel of whom 42 (76%) completed the round 1 questionnaire, 40/42 (95%) completed round 2 and 34/40 (85%) responded to round 3. Twenty-one statements were developed, and consensus was achieved on nine factors representing those necessary for the successful implementation of non-medical prescribing and five representing actions required for its continued development. Strategic fit between non-medical prescribing and existing service provision, organisation preparedness, visible benefits, good managerial and team support, and a clear differentiation of roles were each important influences.
Conclusion: Given the high degree of consensus, this list of factors and actions should provide guidance to managers and commissioners of services wishing to initiate or extend non-medical prescribing. This information should be considered internationally by other countries outside of the UK wishing to implement prescribing by non-medical healthcare professionals.
Keywords: health policy; organisation of health services; organisational development.
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