Impact of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games on the personal and professional development of pharmacy volunteers

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the impact

and legacy of pharmacists’ professional development

having worked as volunteers at the London 2012

Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Methods Questionnaires were administered

immediately following the Games and 1 year after the

Games. The first explored motivation for volunteering,

training and support and reflection on personal

experiences at the time of the Games. The second

evaluated the personal and professional impact that

working as a volunteer has had in the year following the

Games.

Results Immediately post-Games, 19 of the 22

(86.5%) respondents reported that they were able to use

their pre-Games education and training effectively,

particularly relating to antidoping regulations. One year

after the Games, respondents reported that the

experience had been influential on core aspects of their

practice. Close collaboration with pharmacy colleagues,

other healthcare professionals and Olympic and

Paralympic team doctors was reported as a significant

benefit of working at the Games.

Conclusions Comprehensive education and training is

beneficial in providing a safe and efficient medicine

service for athletes and provides a lasting legacy in terms

of improving the standard of care for athletes or people

participating in sport.