Community Pharmacy Clinical Services
The modules will support you to build the knowledge, practical skills, and confidence needed to take an accurate paediatric medication history and complete a safe medicines reconciliation.
They have primarily been designed for pharmacy colleagues working in District General Hospital settings but may also be useful for those working in other settings who want to build confidence in this area of practice.
We recommend starting with the first module, which introduces the topic and provides a foundation for your learning. You can then choose the additional modules that best match your needs and interests.
More modules will be added over time. Once you enrol, you’ll have access to all current modules, as well as any new modules added in the future.
Selecting enrol at the bottom of the page will give you access to all learning resources listed below.
1. An introduction and structured approach
This module provides a structured step by step approach and highlights the key differences between paediatric and adult practice. It emphasises the importance of gathering information from both children, young people and their parents or carers, helping you feel more confident when working with children and young people.
Estimated completion time: 30 minutes
After completing unit 1: an introduction, you should be able to:
- Describe the difference between a medication history and medicines reconciliation in paediatric practice.
- Describe the key elements of a paediatric medication history, including who to involve and the types of information required.
- Explain how and why medication histories and medicines reconciliation in children and young people differ from adult practice.
- Recognise common challenges and assumptions that can affect the accuracy of paediatric medication histories and medicines reconciliation.
After completing unit 2: a structured approach, you should be able to:
- Take a structured paediatric medication history using a systematic approach that includes medicines from all sources and reflects how medicines are given at home.
- Gather and verify medicines information from children and young people, parents or carers, and available records, recognising when additional sources or considerations are required.
- Accurately check doses, strengths, and formulations of paediatric medicines, including liquid preparations, and identify discrepancies.
- Manage common challenges encountered when taking a paediatric medication history.
- Identify off-label and unlicensed medicines and know when to seek advice or escalate concerns to support safe medicines reconciliation.
- Document a clear and accurate paediatric medicines reconciliation that reflects your assessment, discrepancies identified, actions taken, and any follow-up required.
2. Communicating with children, young people, and their families
This module supports you to develop essential knowledge, skills, and confidence in communicating effectively when taking a paediatric medication history, including working with both parents or carers and children and young people (CYP), exploring adherence, and managing sensitive conversations.
Estimated completion time: 30 minutes
After completing this module, you should be able to:
- Communicate effectively with both parents/carers and children and young people when taking a paediatric medication history.
- Involve children and young people appropriately in discussions about their medicines, supporting autonomy while maintaining safety.
- Adapt your communication based on the child or young person’s age, developmental stage, and clinical context.
- Explore adherence and how medicines are used in practice using open, non-judgemental questioning.
- Manage common communication challenges, including conflicting information and sensitive topics.
This module was developed in conjunction with the Neonatal & Paediatric Pharmacy Group
