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Consumer Perspective in Service Design Innovation
Take the patient’s perspective when designing a new service model. Or, using the current “buzz” phrase, you need to become “patient-centred”. Some of the best innovations are brilliant in their after-the-fact simplicity. Take the US-based Minute Clinic. We all know “an ounce of prevention…” yet most of us still don’t go to the doctor for…
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CHF – New Friend of Pharmacy?
The Consumers Health Forum (CHF), not always known for a friendly approach with pharmacy, seems to be moderating its view in recent media releases. Currently, it is calling for the role of a pharmacist in primary health care to be debated. In a recent media release it states: “The Consumers Health Forum says the AMA‟s…
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Magnesium Supplementation Without the “Coke and Fries”
Elderly patients (increasing by the day as “baby boomers” turn 65) are at risk from magnesium deficiency, most commonly when they are taking diuretics, proton pump inhibitors, or both simultaneously. If you need help with your estate planning, you can check it out here! Magnesium deficiencies can also occur in the diet because many pasture…
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ASMI Media Releases – 1. Complementary Medicines Research 2. Repositioning Pharmacy
1. ASMI sponsors new complementary medicines research leadership program 30 September 2014 – The Australian Self Medication Industry (ASMI) is proud to support a unique program for up and coming complementary medicine researchers at the Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine (ARCCIM) at the University of Technology, Sydney. This international leadership program is…
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Pharmacists need to adapt for patients with multiple chronic illnesses
October 3, 2014: Pharmacy practice needs adapt to meet the challenges of an increased complexity of healthcare and medication which is a result of increasing numbers of people living with multiple chronic health conditions. Writing in Australian Pharmacist this month, Professor Libby Roughead highlights that in the 1980s, one in 10 Australians was living with three or…
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Deprescribing – the New Kid on the Block!
When I see words such as “deprescribing” I immediately think of advertising spin and the need to address our “sick” society. And make no mistake, these new spin words are introduced through the medical profession to highlight doctors as “good guys” and pharmacists as “bad guys”. “Deprescribing” is simply overprescribing inappropriately by doctors, directly creating…
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Self Care – Its Time Has arrived With Positive Health Outcomes by Design
Wishing vs. doing By giving people more ways to speak up and more tools to take action, we keep decreasing the gap between what we wish for and what we can do about it. If you’re not willing to do anything about it, best not to waste the energy wishing about it. Seth Godin Self…
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US Clinic Design: The Exam Room
The US style of walk-in clinic that is now starting to gain wide acceptance has at its heart a room they call the Exam Room. In Australia we do not seem to have yet settled on an official design, but some pharmacies have dedicated rooms they call treatment rooms, counselling rooms or consulting rooms, or…
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NPS Media Releases – FINDING RELIABLE INFORMATION ABOUT MEDICAL TESTS: NEW INFORMATION-SHARING COLLABORATION
A new information-sharing collaboration between NPS MedicineWise and Lab Tests Online Australasia means consumers and health professionals will have access to additional, reliable information on medical tests and conditions. This initial pilot allows visitors to the NPS MedicineWise to benefit from Lab Tests Online-Au content about medical tests, while people browsing the Lab Tests Online-Au site will have access…
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PSA Media Releases – Immunisation focus at PAC14
Pharmacist-delivered immunisations are potentially an area of great opportunity for the pharmacy profession with the results of Phase 1 of the Queensland trial showing stunning results. Analysis of Phase 1 of the pilot in Queensland shows more than 10,000 people were vaccinated by pharmacists during the trial. Further, 96% of those vaccinated stated that they…