This study seeks to systematically examine and evaluate the existing landscape of postgraduate pharmacy education to: a) identify current evidence, best practices, challenges, recommendations, and potential solutions; and b) construct a framework to enhance the effectiveness of postgraduate pharmacy programs. A scoping review was performed in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Multiple electronic databases were searched, including PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, ProQuest, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, covering publications from January 2011 to September 2023. Data extraction and charting followed the Arksey and O’Malley framework, utilizing a pre-structured data collection instrument. Studies were then synthesized and categorized according to shared themes.
From 5542 identified articles, 36 met inclusion criteria, focusing on postgraduate pharmacy education (PhD and MSc). These were grouped under three major themes: 1) courses and curriculum, 2) training and skills development, and 3) assessment and mentorship strategies. Research methods reported included descriptive analyses, surveys, questionnaires, trials, and focus groups/interviews. The findings highlighted the importance of competency-based curricula with continuous evaluation, structured career planning, and varied course offerings. Core competencies identified comprised soft skills, communication, research abilities, leadership and management, and critical thinking. Comprehensive evaluation techniques and peer review approaches were also emphasized. Key challenges included balancing academic objectives with practical experience, training limitations, scarce resources, time restrictions, and faculty workload. Evidence-based recommendations for enhancing postgraduate pharmacy education include practice-oriented courses, tailored and comprehensive assessments, emphasis on real-world competencies, advanced teaching strategies, and mentorship programs. The proposed framework offers guidance for holistic program improvement across the three identified themes.
