Dear Prescribers,
With the introduction of the SWEP Prescriber Registration & Credentialing Framework in November 2016 we have received a lot of questions and feedback from clinicians working in the field and what impact these changes may have on them as individuals or as departments and teams. We would like to take the opportunity to explain some of the rationale behind the new requirements in the Prescriber Registration & Credentialing Framework as well as some of the further changes we will be putting in place going forward.
The Prescriber Registration & Credentialing Framework was put in place to ensure a robust, accountable and credible system which reduced inconsistencies and errors in prescribing, defined the expected standard for each prescriber level and enhanced the knowledge base of prescribers. All of this with the aim of ensuring our clients are receiving the highest quality assessments and prescriptions and getting the right assistive technology to meet their needs.
In the absence of appropriate education for prescribers, SWEP partnered with the Central Queensland University (CQU) to develop a high standard of education which would ensure a consistent level of competence for prescribers. The SWEP Clinical Advisors were integral to the development of this education to ensure its high standard and specificity of the education.
The green prescriber program has already been subsidised by the SWEP program and CQU have offered to take their courses off-site where organisations agree to host an education session so that prescribers located around the state are not disadvantaged and costs can be reduced. CQU have also 'bundled' equipment categories for some of the one day workshops based on advice from our Clinical Advisors, to reduce costs for our prescribers who may wish to attend multiple workshops. We are also in the process of developing an online component for the green prescriber course so that the program is reduced to a half day.
In addition to the above we are currently developing a 'Skills Recognition Framework' which will allow prescribers to formally apply to have their skills and knowledge credentialed. There will be a number of pathways within the Skills Recognition Framework which will mean prescribers can apply to have alternative education recognised, or have their skills and expertise recognised based on years of experience, frequency of prescription, national / international credibility in the field etc. There will be various forms of evidence that prescribers can provide to demonstrate their competence in a given assistive technology category. We do not want to overburden prescribers with the cost of education but we do want to ensure a consistent level of competency amongst SWEP prescribers.
In order for SWEP to recognise alternate education to the current CQU programs the education will need to meet defined criteria which we are currently developing. Anyone who is wanting to either consider developing education or wants to apply for recognition of alternate education we are recommending waiting until the final Skills Recognition Framework is published.
We anticipate this framework will be ready for distribution to prescribers in the next 2-3 months.
If we can also remind all prescribers that current credentialing levels remain as is for a three year period.
We thank you for your ongoing commitment to our SWEP clients and continue to welcome your feedback.
Kind regards,
Donna Markham
