July 17, 2015
The development of an australian framework for advanced pharmacy practice
The Pharmacy Practitioner Development Committee (PPDC) is pleased to report that two papers on advanced pharmacy practice initiatives undertaken on behalf of the Australian pharmacy profession were recently published in peer-reviewed journals.
Development of a framework for advanced pharmacy practice.
In the latest issue of Pharmacy, we outline the collaborative, profession-wide efforts of ten pharmacy organisations which culminated in the development of an agreed framework of advanced level competencies relevant to Australian pharmacists.
This group, formerly known as the Advanced Pharmacy Practice Framework Steering Committee (APPFSC), examined and adapted existing advanced practice frameworks in Australia which had been developed for specific areas of hospital pharmacy practice and modelled on a UK advanced practice framework.
An Advanced Pharmacy Practice Framework for Australia (the ‘APPF’) was formally released in 2012. The framework aligns well with the Domains of the National Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacists in Australia and is sufficiently flexible to customise for recognising advanced practice in any area of professional practice.
The primary purpose of the framework is to assist the development of the profession to meet the changing health care needs of the community.
However, we agree it also serves as a valuable tool for assuring members of the public of the competence of an advanced practice pharmacist and the quality and safety of the services they deliver.
Full citation: Jackson S, Martin G, Bergin J, Clark B, Stupans I, Yeates G, Nissen L, Marty S, Gysslink P, Matthews A, Kirsa S, Deans K, Sorimachi K. An Advanced Pharmacy Practice Framework for Australia. Pharmacy 2015;3(2):13–26. doi:10.3390/pharmacy3020013
Perspectives of pharmacists on advanced practice
Following the release of the APPF, the group planned to develop an advanced practice recognition model for Australian pharmacists.
In this context it was desirable to gauge the perspectives of the pharmacy profession on advanced practice to help inform the design of the recognition model.
This was done by administering a survey, the content of which was based on findings from a review of national and international initiatives for recognition of advanced practice in pharmacy and other health disciplines, including medicine and nursing.
This paper reports on the outcomes of the survey which showed that a high proportion of respondent pharmacists considered they were already working at, or working towards achieving, an advanced level of practice.
The responses relating to the assessment methods showed a clear preference for ‘submission of a professional portfolio’.
A ‘written examination’ had low level of support and in relation to an ‘oral examination by a panel’ there was a marked preference for a panel of multidisciplinary health professionals over a panel of pharmacists.
The survey outcomes also demonstrated that there is scope to further enhance the application of the advanced practice framework in the development and recognition of advanced practitioners, and to build greater awareness of the breadth of competencies encompassed by advanced level practice.
Full citation: Jackson S, Martin G, Bergin J, Clark B, Halstead P, Rowett D, Stupans I, Galbraith K, Yeates G, Nissen L, Marty S, Gysslink P, Kirsa S, Coombes I, Matthews A, Deans K, Sorimachi K. Advanced practice: a survey of current perspectives of Australian pharmacists. J Pharm Pract Res 2015;45:186–192. doi: 10.1002/jppr.1097
Shane Jackson,Chair PPDC
July 15, 2015
Landmark study highlights value of medication reviews
A landmark study on the impact of medication reviews in Australia has highlighted the benefits of such services and found they are valuable in identifying medication-related problems, improving medication adherence, reducing hospitalisations and minimising the use of potentially inappropriate medications.
The study, undertaken by Australian researchers and published in the internationally reputable Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy journal, concluded that the available evidence suggests clinical medication reviews are beneficial in improving quality use of medications and consumer health outcomes.
National President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, Joe Demarte, said the study provided important evidence underpinning the value of medication reviews.
“This review is landmark in that it provides an overview of the research to date and describes the clinical, humanistic, economic and qualitative benefits of medication reviews,” he said.
“It shows that medication reviews are evidenced-based and beneficial to the public and the health system.
“But it also identified opportunities for improvement – for example there are underserved populations who would benefit from the service, including post hospital discharge patients, indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse people, and younger patients with chronic diseases.”
Mr Demarte said the research findings provided a good opportunity to review the current administrative MMR changes imposed in the 5CPA.
“Namely we should review the cap on services, time interval between CMRs, and restriction of services to the patient’s place of residence,” Mr Demarte said.
“With proven value, the PSA will certainly be strongly advocating that in the 6CPA, patients who would benefit from a medication review should be able to access one.”
July 14, 2015
Health Minister Sussan Ley to open PSA15
The Minister for Health, the Hon Sussan Ley MP, will officially open the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s annual conference,PSA15, in Sydney on July 31.
Under the theme of Leading Pharmacy Innovation, the conference will present a comprehensive and engaging program focusing on how pharmacists can develop their role as healthcare professionals.
PSA National President Joe Demarte said that having the Minister open the conference was a great honour and reflected the importance the Government placed on the role of pharmacists in the healthcare sector.
To be held in Sydney from 31 July to 2 August, the conference will feature expert national and international speakers covering topical, if not controversial, subjects currently engaging the profession.
Mr Demarte said that the development of PSA15 grew out of feedback from PSA members, and recognition that the pharmacy conference market was becoming crowded.
“As a result of feedback from our members, the profession and industry, we have taken the best of two of PSA’s most popular conferences – CPExpo and PAC – and added new features and ideas to create PSA15 – a fresh and innovative approach to pharmacy conferences moving into the future,” he said.
“At PSA we have taken on board the needs of industry, and the needs of our members, to arrive at a formula which we are confident will deliver results for everyone – sponsors, industry and delegates.
“PSA15 is as exciting as it is innovative. The theme of Leading Pharmacy Innovation will provide unrivalled diversity in clinical education with accredited sessions and interactive workshops delivered by key opinion leaders and clinical experts.”
Further details and registration are available at http://www.psa.org.au/psa15
July 13, 2015
Australia urged to follow UK lead in funding for pharmacists in GP practices
The Australian Government has been urged to follow the lead of Britain in introducing funding to incorporate pharmacists into general practices.
This follows provision of £15 million ($A31 million) from the National Health Service to bring pharmacists into their GP surgeries.
National President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, Joe Demarte, said the British move reflected a Budget submission made by the PSA to the Australian Government.
“The PSA has presented the Federal Government with a proposal to make non-dispensing pharmacists a key part of the general practice healthcare team,” Mr Demarte said.
“This proposal followed extensive collaborative work between the PSA and stakeholders to develop the model to support a more integrated role for pharmacists to work in GP practices as part of the primary care team.”
Mr Demarte said he welcomed the British move to introduce a pilot scheme later this year designed to reduce the impact of continuing shortages of family doctors, improve the management of patients’ long-term conditions and reduce medication errors.
“This will no doubt prove the value of collaborative doctor-pharmacist service,” Mr Demarte said.
“In Australia there are already a number of pharmacists working in GP practices in highly successful collaborative arrangements.
“Collaboration in the Australian environment will create greater efficiencies for general practices, better care for patients, new career opportunities for pharmacists, and significant Budget savings across the whole health system.”
Research by Deloitte Access Economics and commissioned by the AMA showed that for every $1 invested in the program, $1.56 would be generated in savings to the health system.
A PSA forum will be held in Sydney on Monday 24 August to discuss this area of practice.
Those attending will hear from Australian experts in this area, including our own Dr Chris Freeman, GPs, and international expert Ravi Sharma from the UK. Details of the forum can be found at http://www.psa.org.au/event/pharmacists_in_gp_forum