Young pharmacists as tomorrow’s decision-makers: tool validation and perceptions of pharmaceutical policymaking in Lebanon

TL;DR

This study introduces and validates a new tool to assess early-career pharmacists' perceptions of pharmaceutical policymaking in Lebanon, finding generally low motivation and highlighting the need for action.

Contribution

The study develops and validates the Pharmaceutical Policymaking Perception Scale (PPPS), a novel tool for assessing perceptions of policymaking among pharmacists.

Findings

The PPPS showed excellent psychometric properties and reliability with two distinct factors representing positive and negative perceptions.

Only 4% of participants scored above 70, indicating low perceptions of pharmaceutical policymaking in Lebanon.

Higher PPPS scores were linked to higher self-efficacy and strategic thinking, but not leadership.

Abstract

The perception of pharmacy policymaking among early-career pharmacists is crucial for developing and advancing the profession. This study aimed to construct and validate a new tool, the Pharmaceutical Policymaking Perception Scale (PPPS), and assess pharmacy students’ and graduates’ perceptions of pharmaceutical policymaking in Lebanon.

A standardized questionnaire was disseminated through electronic platforms. It included sociodemographic characteristics, education-related variables, and scales measuring leadership, general self-efficacy, strategic thinking, and public service motivation. The validity of the newly developed PPPS was confirmed, and concepts were linked through multivariate analyses.

The PPPS tool exhibited excellent psychometric properties, with its items loading on two factors representing the positive and negative perceptions of pharmaceutical policymaking. The scale demonstrated excellent reliability as well as robust content, construct, structural, and concurrent validity. Only 4% of participants scored above 70, indicating relatively low perceptions of pharmaceutical policymaking in Lebanon. Higher PPPS scores were associated with higher self-efficacy and strategic thinking, while lower scores were linked to reduced public service motivation. No association was found between PPPS and leadership.

The novel PPPS scale offers valuable insights into pharmacists’ views, enabling a more comprehensive assessment of policymaking perceptions. The potential disconnection between the studied concepts raises concerns. Further research is recommended to confirm these findings, and urgent action by educators and policymakers is essential to effectively engage with early-career pharmacists and enhance their motivation to serve the profession in challenging circumstances.