An educational evaluation of frailty and deprescribing knowledge amongst pharmacy professionals in a UK tertiary oncology centre

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R Mohabir1; D Walsh2,3,4; Ka Kantilal5; Ku Kantilal6; V Slavova-Boneva7
1. The Christie NHS Foundation Trust; 2. University Hospital Waterford; 3. University College Cork; 4. RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences; 5. University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust; 6. University College London; 7. The Royal Marsden
Clinical Quality
CQ - Clinical Effectiveness
Cancer
View DOI

Abstract

Introduction 

Cancer is strongly attributed with increasing age1; geriatric oncology is a rapidly evolving subspecialty of geriatrics. In oncology settings, pharmacy professionals are experts at reviewing patients from an oncology perspective but may have gaps in their knowledge around frailty and deprescribing2. This project aimed to address the gap by assessing baseline knowledge and confidence, implementing targeted educational interventions, and evaluating their impact.

Methods 

The project was implemented as a service evaluation. It required no ethical approval but was submitted to the organisation’s Quality Improvement team. The only inclusion criterion was job role; specifically pharmacist or pharmacy technician working at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust or The Christie Pharmacy (TCP), totalling approximately 115 staff.

Two questionnaires were designed to collect anonymised information around perceived knowledge and confidence in frailty and deprescribing before and after bespoke in-person or recorded teaching sessions. Three 30-minute teaching sessions were developed and delivered on frailty, medication review and falls in May and June 2026. Microsoft Forms and Microsoft Excel were used to collect and analyse data.

Results 

In total, 38/115 (33%) completed the questionnaire before the educational intervention and 22/115 (19%) completed the questionnaire afterwards. 

Overall, 17/22 (77%) of respondents in the post-teaching questionnaire attended teaching. Feedback demonstrated positive results (agree or strongly agree) around suitability of teaching and confidence in frailty increased significantly. The domains with the greatest change were recognition of frailty (24% to 100%) and confidence in contributing to MDT discussions around deprescribing (39% to 82). Non-attendees continued to demonstrate knowledge gaps. Perceived barriers to deprescribing did not change with training.

Conclusions 

This project represents a scalable educational model that could be implemented across other oncology pharmacy departments. Increased frailty knowledge has meaningful impact on personalising care in older adults with cancer. Future research could investigate perceived barriers to deprescribing and focus interventions on pharmacy technicians.

References

  1. Cancer Research UK, ‘Age and Cancer’, https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/age-and-… (accessed 21/07/2026)
  2. Kantilal K, Walsh D, Herledan C et al. The educational needs of pharmacists to optimize medication usage in older adults with cancer: A scoping review by the International Society of Geriatric Oncology Nursing, Allied Health, and Scientists pharmacy group. Journal of Geriatric Oncology, 2026; 17

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