Clinical networks influencing policy and practice: the establishment of advanced practice pharmacist roles for specialist palliative care services in South Australia

Abstract

Objectives. To operationalise the concept of 'advanced practice roles' in pharmacy within the new integrated regionalised palliative care service model outlined in the Palliative Care Services Plan 2009-2016, SA Health.Methods. A working group was established under the auspices of the Palliative Care Clinical Network to progress the development of advanced practice pharmacist roles for regionalised palliative care services. A pharmacy stakeholder forum was conducted in December 2010 to provide further guidance on the advanced practice pharmacist roles in the following domains: education; network links and partnerships; quality and safety; and research.Results. Advanced practice pharmacist positions were created for each of the three regionalised palliative care services in South Australia (SA). Funding was obtained for a Statewide Palliative Care Pharmacy Network project, to build a sustainable community-based palliative care pharmacy network. Advanced practice pharmacists commenced in the regionalised palliative care services of SA on 4 October 2011.Conclusions. The Statewide Palliative Care Clinical Network and the SA Palliative Care Plan provided a policy framework that supported involvement and advocacy in the planning of the advanced practice pharmacist roles. Collaboration between leaders in workforce reform, service planners, specialist palliative care providers and the pharmacy sector was a key enabler for developing the advanced practice pharmacist positions for regionalised palliative care services.What is known about the topic? The advanced practice palliative care pharmacist role reflects a new direction for the discipline of pharmacy and has been embraced at a time when a nationally endorsed Advanced Pharmacy Practice Framework has been published, while recognising that registration for pharmacists in Australia currently does not have specific endorsement for advanced practice. What does this paper add? This paper outlines the value of collaboration across settings and sectors. There is an opportunity for these roles to align with the new nationally endorsed framework for advanced practice in pharmacy. What are the implications for practitioners? These new positions strengthen the links between the hospital and community pharmacy sectors to enhance a quality use of medicines approach with improved access to end-of-life medicines for home-based palliative care clients, which actively facilitates a home death for those who choose it.

Acute Care Nurses' Experiences of Basic Palliative Care

“…Of key concern is the procurement and retention of an appropriate palliative care workforce as noted earlier. Swetenham, 2014;McDermott, Selman, Wright, & Clark, 2008;Clark, Wright, Hunt, & Lynch, 2007), such as acute care, intensive care, community-based, and long-term care. Innovative care delivery models include hospice day programs using volunteers in English-speaking countries (New Zealand, Canada, and the UK) and integrated community-based home-care programs in Africa.…”

Pharmacists in the system of pediatric palliative care: international practice and prospects in Russia

“…Анализ данных литературы показал, что в Австралии, Канаде, Соединенных Штатах Америки и странах Европейского союза фармацевтическое обслуживание пациентов осуществляется преимущественно клиническими провизорами, которые принимают активное участие во врачебных обходах и наблюдении пациентов. Специалисты данного профиля осуществляют контроль побочных эффектов и лекарственных взаимодействий, консультируют пациентов и лиц, осуществляющих уход за ними на дому, по вопросам безопасного применения и утилизации лекарственных препаратов, проводят оценку фармакотерапии по показателям безопасности, клинической и клинико-экономической эффективности, а также ведут медицинскую документацию [3][4][5][6][7][8].…”

More than coffee – a World Café to explore enablers of pharmacy practice research

“…Canada, Australia, the United States of America and the United Kingdom (UK) have repositioned the pharmacist within their health systems, including the introduction of pharmacist prescribing, emerging opportunities in general practice (GP) and other advanced pharmacist practitioner roles. [ 4–6 ] Ireland currently lags behind, and career options for graduating pharmacists remain similar to those seen over a decade ago. This could perhaps be explained by the unclear leadership structure of pharmacy in Ireland.…”