ORCID Profile
0000-0002-3943-1444
Current Organisation
James Cook University
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Publisher: Wiley
Date: 06-2021
DOI: 10.1111/AJR.12739
Abstract: To explore pharmacist and stakeholder perspectives of pharmacists providing expanded services in rural community pharmacies. A descriptive qualitative study with an ethnographic lens of rural culture collected data via in‐depth semi‐structured interviews with stakeholder representatives and rural and remote pharmacists. Regional, rural and remote practice settings as defined by the Modified Monash Model MM3‐MM7. Twelve rural or remote pharmacists and eight stakeholder representatives from various government and professional organisations participated in the study. Macro‐, meso‐ and micro‐level perspectives of pharmacists providing expanded pharmacy services in rural community pharmacies. At the macro‐level, both pharmacists and stakeholders agreed that governance is needed to clarify the terms used to describe expanded practice as a first step to developing an expanded practice framework. The meso‐level revealed that pharmacist participants expected expanded practice to improve rural pharmacist recruitment and retention through improved professional satisfaction. The importance of effective collaboration and coordination with other health care providers in a community was described by pharmacists and stakeholders to ensure success of expanded services. All participants agreed that sustainability of these services relied on appropriate remuneration. At the micro‐level, expanded pharmacy services are expected to save consumers’ time and money as patients are redirected into appropriate health care settings. Enablers and barriers across policy, health professional, consumer and community levels need to be addressed in order to design and develop sustainable expanded pharmacy services to improve health service provision in rural and remote communities.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 14-06-2021
DOI: 10.1186/S40814-021-00856-6
Abstract: Ear disease is a major cause of preventable hearing loss and is very common in rural communities, estimated to affect 1.3 million Australians. Rural community pharmacists are well placed to provide improved ear health care to people who are unable to easily access a general practitioner (GP). The purpose of this study is to apply an ear health intervention to the rural community-pharmacy setting in Queensland, Australia, to improve the management of ear disease. The aims are the following: (1) to evaluate the feasibility, potential effectiveness and acceptability of a community pharmacy-based intervention for ear health, (2) to evaluate the use of otoscopy and tympanometry by pharmacists in managing ear complaints in community pharmacy and (3) to evaluate the extended role of rural pharmacists in managing ear complaints, with the potential to expand nationally to improve minor ailment management in rural communities. This is a longitudinal pre- and post-test study of a community-pharmacy-based intervention with a single cohort of up to 200 patients from two rural community pharmacies. Usual care practices pertaining to the management of ear complaints will be recorded prior to the intervention for 8 weeks. The intervention will then be piloted for 6 weeks, followed by a 12 month impact study. Patients aged 13 years presenting to the pharmacies with an ear complaint will be invited to participate. Trained pharmacists will conduct an examination including a brief history, hearing screening, otoscopy and tympanometry assessments. Patients will be referred to a general practitioner (GP) if required, according to the study protocol. Patients will complete a satisfaction survey and receive a follow-up phone call at 7 days to explore outcomes including prescribed medications and referrals. Pharmacists and GPs will complete pre- and post- intervention interviews. Patient, pharmacist and GP data will be analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis for the qualitative data. This study will demonstrate the implementation of a screening and referring ear health intervention in rural community pharmacy. Feasibility, potential effectiveness and acceptability of the intervention will be assessed. Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry Number: ACTRN12620001297910 .
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 28-12-2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2020
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 15-06-2021
Abstract: Unaddressed hearing loss affects an estimated 466 million people worldwide, costing over $750 billion globally, with rural communities being particularly disadvantaged, due to the greater inequity in access to healthcare services. This mixed-methods study aimed to use the PRECEDE-PROCEED model to develop and pilot a rural community pharmacy-based ear health service, LISTEN UP (Locally Integrated Screening and Testing Ear aNd aUral Program). The PRECEDE process involved an assessment of the predisposing, reinforcing and enabling constructs to support practice change through a scoping review, stakeholder surveys and interviews and consultation with governing bodies and regulatory authorities. The PROCEED segment structured the evaluation of the service pilot and informed planned implementation, process, impact and outcome evaluation. The pilot study conducted in February 2021 included 20 participants, with the most common ear complaints presented being pain, pressure or blockage. All these participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the service, would recommend the service to others and would attend the pharmacy first before seeing a GP for future ear complaints. The PRECEDE-PROCEED model provides a comprehensive model to guide the design of the LISTEN UP program, an innovative model, expanding services offered by rural community pharmacies, with preliminary results demonstrating high consumer satisfaction.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 04-2015
Abstract: Measuring occupational performance is an essential part of clinical practice however, there is little research on service user perceptions of measures. The aim of this investigation was to explore the acceptability and utility of one occupational performance outcome measure, Goal Attainment Scaling, with young people (12–25 years old) seeking psychological help. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten young people seeking help from a youth mental health clinic. Interviews were audio taped and a field diary kept. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using content analysis. Results were verified by member checking. All participants were able to engage in using Goal Attainment Scaling to set goals for therapy, and reported the process to be useful. The participants identified the physical location and ownership of the scale was important to help motivate them to work on their goals. Young help-seekers see Goal Attainment Scaling as an acceptable tool to facilitate the establishment of functional goals. Young service users were particularly keen to maintain control over the physical location of completed forms.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2020
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 09-07-2019
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 24-08-2023
DOI: 10.1186/S12913-023-09887-6
Abstract: Chronic Kidney disease (CKD) is over-represented amongst First Nation people with more than triple the rate of CKD in those aged 15 years and over. The impact of colonisation, including harmful experiences of health practices and research, has contributed to these health inequities. Cape York Kidney Care (CYKC) has been created as an unique service which provides specialist care that aims to centre the client within a multidisciplinary team that is integrated within the primary care setting of the remote health clinics in six communities in western Cape York, Australia. This research aims to describe the Cape York Kidney Care service delivery model, and baseline service data, including aggregated client health measures. The model of care is described in detail. Review of the first 12 months of service provision has been undertaken with client demographic and clinical profile baseline data collected including kidney health measures. Participants are adults ( 18 years if age) with CKD grades 1–5. This data has been de-identified and aggregated. CYKC reviewed 204 in iduals, with 182 not previously been reviewed by specialist kidney health services. Three quarters of clients identified as Aboriginal. The average age was 55 with a high level of comorbidity, with majority having a history of hypertension and Type 2 diabetes (average Hba1c 8.2%). Just under one third had cardiovascular disease. A large proportion of people had either Grade 2 CKD (32%) or Grade 3 CKD (~ 30%), and over half had severely increased albuminuria (A3), with Type 2 diabetes being the predominant presumed cause of CKD. Most clients did not meet evidence-based targets for diabetes, blood pressure or lipids and half were self-reported smokers. The proportion of clients reviewed represents 6.2% of the adult population in the participating First Nation communities. The CYKC model was able to target those clients at high risk of progression and increase the number of people with chronic kidney disease reviewed by specialist kidney services within community. Baseline data demonstrated a high burden of chronic disease that subsequently will increase risk of CKD progression and cardiovascular disease. People were seen to have more severe disease at younger ages, with a substantial number demonstrating risk factors for rapid progression of kidney disease including poorly controlled Type 2 diabetes and severely increased albuminuria. Further evaluation concerning implementation challenges, consumer and community satisfaction, and health outcomes is required.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-08-2020
DOI: 10.1186/S12961-020-00608-7
Abstract: The field of rural health research is critical for informing health improvement in rural places but it involves researching in small teams and distributed sites that may have specific sustainability challenges. We aimed to evaluate this to inform how to sustain the field of rural health research. We conducted In-depth semi-structured interviews of 50-70 minutes with 17 rural early career researchers who were from different research sites across rural Australia. Data were thematically coded. Seven sustainability challenges were noted, namely recognition, workload, networks, funding and strategic grants, organisational culture, job security, and career progression options. Rural researchers were poorly recognised for their work and researchers were not extended the same opportunities enjoyed by staff at main c uses. Unpredictable and high workloads stemmed from community demand and limited staff. Strategic grant opportunities failed to target the generalist, complex research in this field and the limited time researchers had for grant writing due to their demands within small academic teams. Limited collaboration with other sites increased dissatisfaction. In the face of strong commitment to rural ‘places’ and their enthusiasm for improving rural health, fixed-term contracts and limited career progression options were problematic for researchers and their families in continuing in these roles. A comprehensive set of strategies is needed to address the sustainability of this field, recognising its value for rural self-determination and health equity. Hubs and networks could enable more cohesively planned, collaborative research, skills sharing, senior academic supervision and career development. Targeted funding, fit to the context and purpose of this field, is urgent. Inaction may fuel regular turnover, starting after a researcher’s first years, losing rich academic theoretical and contextual knowledge that is essential to address the health of rural populations.
Publisher: Rural and Remote Health
Date: 26-02-2020
DOI: 10.22605/RRH5552
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 23-09-2016
Abstract: This paper describes the establishment of training in cognitive remediation for psychosis within a community mental health service. Clinical staff working in the community of a mental health service were surveyed to ascertain their interest in cognitive aspects of psychosis and skills training in cognitive remediation (CR). Based on the results of the survey a tiered training programme was established with attendance figures reported for each level of training. Fidelity assessment was conducted on the five CR programmes operating. Of 106 clinical staff working in the community with people diagnosed with a psychotic illness 51 completed the survey (48% response rate). The training needs varied with all 106 staff receiving the fundamental (mandatory) training and 51 staff receiving CR facilitator training. Thirty three percent of staff trained as facilitators were delivering CR. Up skilling the mental health workforce to incorporate an understanding of the cognitive aspects of psychosis into care delivery can be facilitated by a tiered training structure. Fundamental training on the psychosocial aspects of psychosis can act as a platform for focussed CR skills based training. There is also a need for accessible therapy based supervision for staff wishing to develop competencies as CR therapists.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-2019
DOI: 10.1002/JPPR.1619
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 29-07-2013
Abstract: Neurocognitive deficits are a core symptom domain of schizophrenia, occurring in 75–90% of people with this diagnosis and influencing long term functional outcomes. This article aims to describe the pilot implementation of cognitive remediation therapy in two large public mental health services and detail changes made to the delivery of this therapy after this trial. Cognitive remediation therapy provides an evidence-based approach to targeting cognitive deficits but the translation of this therapy from a research setting to clinical practice has not been well evaluated.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 30-06-2020
DOI: 10.1111/IJPP.12648
Abstract: Expanded pharmacy service delivery for rural and remote Australia has potential to address the rural health disparity. Pharmacists practising to their full scope are recognised as being most beneficial in rural and regional communities, where access to health professionals (HPs) is not comparable to those in metropolitan areas. However, research on HP perspectives on expanded pharmacy practice is limited. This study aims to determine rural and remote HP (doctors, nurses, allied health and other HPs) perspectives of expanded services to be delivered through community pharmacy. Australian rural and remote HPs participated in a questionnaire survey which explored views on expanded pharmacy services in their local communities. Potential expanded pharmacy services were provided, and participants were asked to indicate what expanded pharmacy would benefit their local community and their level of support for the services. Analysis of the data included frequency analyses and one-way ANOVA tests with post hoc Tukey’s HSD tests using IBM SPSS Statistic 25. Health professionals (N = 121) from rural and remote locations participated. Sexually transmitted disease testing, vaccinations, diabetes and asthma management were the most frequently chosen services that HPs agreed would improve the health of people in their community. Doctors chose the least number of services (mean = 1 services) compared with all other HPs (mean =& 5 services). Sixty-eight per cent of participants agreed/strongly agreed that providing these additional services would improve health, with participants (73%) agreeing/strongly agreeing that they would support the implementation of these additional services, not otherwise available in their community. Comparing professional groups, doctors were only half as supportive of expanded pharmacy services, when compared with all other HPs. This study confirms the importance of a collaborative, local model to deliver expanded pharmacy services for rural communities. Health professionals were found to largely support expanding pharmacy practice, agreeing about the improved access to health care that would be provided for people living in rural and remote Australia.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 04-2022
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2021-057011
Abstract: Ear disease in rural and remote communities is occurring at high rates, with limited access to health services and health providers contributing to the problem. Community pharmacists are well-placed to provide expanded services to improve ear health in rural communities. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility, accessibility and acceptability of a pharmacist-led intervention for ear disease in consumers presenting to community pharmacy. Prospective preintervention and postintervention mixed-methods study. An ethnographic lens of rural culture was applied to the descriptive qualitative component of the study. Two rural community pharmacies in Queensland, Australia. People aged 6 months or older, who present with an ear complaint to a participating community pharmacy. LISTEN UP (Locally Integrated Screening and Testing Ear aNd aUral Programme) is a community pharmacy-based intervention to improve the management of ear health. Trained pharmacists conducted ear examinations using otoscopy and tympanometry on consumers following a LISTEN UP protocol. They made recommendations including no treatment, pharmacy only products or general practitioner (GP) referral. Consumers were contacted 7 days later for follow-up. 55 rural consumers participated in the study. The most commonly reported complaints were ‘blocked ear’ and ‘ear pain’. Pharmacists recommended over-the-counter products to two-thirds of the participants and referred one quarter to a GP. 90% (50/55) of the consumers were highly satisfied with the service and would recommend the service. All consumers described the service positively with particular reference to convenience, improved confidence and appreciation of the knowledge gained about their ear complaint. Pharmacists were motivated to upskill and manage workflow to incorporate the service and expected both consumers and GPs to be more accepting of future expanded services as a result of LISTEN UP. However, without funding to provide the service, during the study other remunerated pharmacy tasks took priority over providing LISTEN UP. Rural community pharmacists can provide an acceptable and accessible ear health service however, it is not feasible without a clear funding structure to provide resources including additional pharmacists, equipment and training. ACTRN12620001297910.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-06-2021
DOI: 10.1111/AJR.12746
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 19-05-2017
DOI: 10.1111/EIP.12445
Abstract: This investigation aims to identify if correlates of not working or studying were also correlated with part-time vocational participation. Demographic and vocational engagement information was collected from 226 participant clinical charts aged 15 to 25 years accessing a primary youth health clinic. Multinomial logistic regressions were used to examine potential correlates no and part-time vocational engagement compared to those full-time. A total of 33% were not working or studying and 19% were part-time. Not working or studying was associated with secondary school dropout and a history of drug use. These associations were not observed in those participating part-time. This result suggests that the markers of disadvantage observed in those not working or studying do not carry over to those who are part-time. Potentially, those who are part-time are less vulnerable to long-term disadvantage compared to their unemployed counterparts as they do not share the same indicators of disadvantage.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 26-10-2021
DOI: 10.1002/JPPR.1688
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.JAD.2017.06.008
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate neurocognitive, demographic and clinical correlates of vocational participation among a s le of young help-seeking adults. Young people (18-25 years) accessing an early intervention youth health service participated. The Global Functioning: Role scale and level of vocational participation, participant characteristics (age, gender, socioeconomic background and family history of serious mental illness), distress, psychotic-like experiences, substance use, and mental health diagnoses were recorded. The Cambridge Neuropsychological Testing Automated Battery was used to assess sustained attention, visual memory and executive function. Of the 107 participants, 33 (31%) were not working or studying and 52 (49%) had a diagnosis of affective disorder. Impairments in neurocognitive tests were evidenced in attention shift, sustained attention target sensitivity, impulsivity and spatial working memory errors. Univariate analyses indicated that information processing and target impulsivity were associated with both vocational participation and global functioning, and that spatial working memory strategy was also associated with vocational participation. After controlling for significant demographic and clinical predictors, strategy formation remained a significant correlate of vocational participation (coefficient (95%CI) = -0.08 (-0.17, -0.01)), but no neurocognitive measures remained significant in the multivariate prediction of global functioning. Neurocognitive outcomes were assessed at a single time point, factors such as fluctuations in motivation could impact on test results. Interventions targeting work and education participation should consider the capacity of vulnerable young people to develop appropriate plans for role success and provide support accordingly. The study also emphasised the importance of high school completion and avoidance of cannabis use, especially in males.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 03-2013
DOI: 10.4276/030802213X13627524435180
Abstract: Medication remains the cornerstone treatment for mental illness. Cognition is one of the strongest predictors of non-adherence. The aim of this preliminary investigation was to examine the association between the Large Allen Cognitive Level Screen (LACLS) and medication adherence among a small s le of mental health service users to determine whether the LACLS has potential as a screening tool for capacity to manage medication regimens. Demographic and clinical information was collected from a small s le of people who had recently accessed community mental health services. Participants then completed the LACLS and the Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS) at a single time point. The strength of association between the LACLS and MARS was examined using Spearman rank-order correlation. A strong positive correlation between the LACLS and medication adherence (r = 0.71, p = 0.01) was evident. No participants reported the use of medication aids despite evidence of impaired cognitive functioning. This investigation has provided the first empirical evidence indicating that the LACLS may have utility as a screening instrument for capacity to manage medication adherence among this population. While promising, this finding should be interpreted with caveats given its preliminary nature.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 2021
DOI: 10.1017/S1463423621000487
Abstract: In Australia, around 3.6 million people suffer from hearing loss, more than 1.3 million with preventable hearing conditions. Ear diseases are prevalent in Indigenous populations, particularly children and are associated with poor educational outcomes and subsequent high rates of unemployment and incarceration. In Australia, rural and remote communities have rates of middle ear perforations five times the rate that the World Health Organisation regards to be a significant public health problem. Barriers to accessing ear health services have been identified including gaps in testing during the ‘early years’ and difficulty in accessing these services. Reducing the risk of hearing loss through improved ear health care can directly impact the ability to learn and develop. Collaboration between community, health providers and government is crucial to ensure necessary support for change. An opportunity presents for rural community pharmacists, who are both qualified and accessible to provide an ear health programme and thus improve health outcomes for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in their communities. The aim of this study was to identify published evidence of pharmacists’ involvement in ear health care interventions to inform the development of ear health services able to be delivered in rural community pharmacy in Australia. The search strategy was applied to the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, Scopus, CINAHL, Emcare, Cochrane, Google Scholar and Google. Study selection articles were included if they described an ear health intervention in a community pharmacy setting. The interventions reported in the articles were evaluated for their inclusion of effectiveness, whether the service was sustainable, and the inclusion of enablers and barriers to the provision of ear care. The articles were also thematically analysed using the Deadly Ears Deadly Kids Deadly Communities Framework . A total 8427 articles were identified and evaluated against inclusion and exclusion criteria, with eleven eligible articles suitable for inclusion in the review. The articles included were conducted in Australia ( n = 4), England ( n = 4), United States of America ( n = 2) and Brazil ( n = 1). The ear health interventions identified included hearing screening ( n = 3), otoscopy pilot studies ( n = 2), audiometry services ( n = 1), specific education for undergraduate pharmacy students ( n = 2) and a pharmacy-based clinic ( n = 3). Effectiveness and sustainability were not formally reported in any of the included articles. Positive outcomes, funding availability, consumer access to community pharmacy, cost savings for consumers and improved connection to health providers were identified as enablers. Difficulty in attracting funding was the most commonly reported barrier. Improving ear health of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples through services provided in community pharmacy presents as an important opportunity for rural pharmacists. Pharmacists are accessible and thus well placed to improve ear healthcare and resultant quality of life for these vulnerable populations. This review has identified factors required to effectively develop ear health models of care in community pharmacy including a pharmacist training program, continuous funding to ensure sustainability and support from pharmacy stakeholders and the community.
Publisher: Rural and Remote Health
Date: 03-09-2020
DOI: 10.22605/RRH6116
Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Date: 20-10-2018
Abstract: This study aims to identify the prenatal and early life predictors of adolescence sleep problems. Sleep data (n = 5081) from the 14-year (13.92 ± 0.34 years) follow-up of a birth cohort were analyzed to explore the predictors of adolescence trouble sleeping, nightmares, snoring and sleep talking/walking. Data from the antenatal period till adolescence were explored for identifying predictors of adolescence sleep problems. Modified Poisson regression with a robust error variance was used to identify significant predictors. Our results suggest that about a quarter of adolescents in our study s le had sleep maintenance problems (nightmares: 27.88%, snoring: 23.20%, sleepwalking/talking 27.72%). The prevalence rate of sleep initiation problems was even higher (trouble sleeping: 40.61%). Our results suggest that antenatal and early-life factors, e.g. maternal smoking, anxiety, sleep problems in childhood, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, and poor health are significant predictors of adolescence sleep problems. This study demonstrates the predictive role of prenatal and early life risk factors in adolescence sleep problems. It seems that exposure to prenatal and early life risk factors increase the vulnerability for sleep problems later in life, which is further supported by poor health and lifestyle choices in adolescence. Therefore, close observation and mitigation of factors associated with early life risk factors could be a potential strategy for preventing sleep problems later in life.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 08-04-2013
Publisher: Rural and Remote Health
Date: 26-07-2021
DOI: 10.22605/RRH6158
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 14-11-2015
DOI: 10.1111/EIP.12101
Abstract: This study aimed to explore the functional concerns of help-seeking young people 12-25 years of age. Semistructured interviews with n = 10 young people seeking help from a youth mental health clinic were conducted. Data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using content analysis. Results were verified by member checking. Participants identified reasons for seeking help, with the main themes being relationships, emotional management, risk-taking behaviour and difficulties with employment. There appeared to be a difference between the concerns of the older, post-school-age group and the younger participants. Young people are able to identify their functional concerns and reasons for seeking help from mental health services. Understanding the concerns of these young people provides weight to the model of youth-specific mental health services. Future work examining concerns of 12-25 year olds should ensure adequate representation of the older group as their needs and concerns seem to differ from those of younger participants in this study. Post-school-age youth seem to be under-represented in existing literature in this field. However, a limitation with this study is the small s le sizes once the cohort is ided by age. Future studies with a larger, more detailed examination of the needs and concerns of this population are warranted to inform service delivery advancements and clarify the difference in needs between the post-school and current school attendee groups.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 23-03-2022
DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2021.1900416
Abstract: Community rehabilitation is an essential health service that is often not available to remote Australians. This paper describes the first cycle of a collaborative project, between local community members, allied health professionals and a university, to co-design a community rehabilitation and lifestyle service to support adults and older people to stay strong and age well in place. An action research framework was used to develop the service for adults in two remote communities, one being a discrete Aboriginal community. The first cycle involved planning for, and trialling of a service, with observations, reflections and feedback from clients, community members, university students and health service providers, to inform the subsequent service. Over two years, stakeholders worked collaboratively to plan, trial, reflect and replan an allied health student-assisted community rehabilitation service. The trial identified the need for dedicated clinical and cultural supervision. During replanning, three key elements for culturally responsive care were embedded into the service: reciprocity and yarning holistic community-wide service and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mentorship. An action-research approach to co-design has led to the establishment of a unique community rehabilitation service to address disability and rehabilitation needs in two remote Australian communities.Implications for rehabilitationCo-design of community rehabilitation services between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members and the local allied health professionals can lead to development of an innovative service model for remote Aboriginal communities.Culturally responsive community rehabilitation services in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities requires holistic and community-wide perspectives of wellbeing.Incorporating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of engaging and communicating, and leadership and mentorship for non-Indigenous allied health professionals and students are essential components for students-assisted culturally responsive services.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 27-09-2020
DOI: 10.1111/AJR.12661
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 02-09-2020
Abstract: Pharmaceutical care is a concept which has moved the pharmacy profession from their primary focus on the product to optimising drug therapy for the in idual patient. Expanded pharmacy practice beyond pharmaceutical care will further challenge the role perceptions that other health professionals have about pharmacists. Role theory as a philosophical perspective was used to explore rural and remote health professionals’ beliefs on pharmacists expanding their clinical role by conducting twenty-three semi-structured interviews. Five role theory categories described the data, role ambiguity, role conflict, role overload, role identity and role insufficiency. The health professionals interviewed were found to be uncertain about the boundaries between the traditional roles of the pharmacist compared to that of the expanded roles. A perceived lack of accountability by pharmacists was seen as a major contributor to role conflict, which in turn was found to impact the ability of pharmacists and other health professionals to work collaboratively. Perspectives of other health professionals on pharmacists adopting expanded practice models has highlighted significant concerns with role conflict and role identity. Acknowledging and developing clear strategies to address these concerns is essential to ensure that expanded pharmacy practice can be effectively integrated to improve access to health services and thus health outcomes for rural Australians.
No related grants have been discovered for Alice Cairns.