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Rural Pharmacist Training & Support Program

This now completed pilot project examined the implementation of Pharmacy Board Guidelines to Residential Care Facilities in the Loddon Mallee region of Victoria. A number of problems were identified and solutions to these were investigated. Short course clinical training was provided and support networks for rural pharmacists were established. The project participants were the pharmacists in the Loddon Mallee region of Victoria.

Funding

Funded by Rural Health Support, Education and Training (RHSET) Program

Significance

Pharmacy Board Guidelines to Residential Care Facilities have been provided to ensure optimum medication management. However, in the rural areas there are particular problems implementing the Guidelines and these have not previously been studied. As there are similar guidelines being formulated which will to be implemented nationally, resolution of these problems is important.

Aims/Objectives

Pharmacy Board Guidelines to Residential Care Facilities, and the provision of the clinical services described by the Guidelines were discussed with pharmacists. An educational program in the form of a workshop was offered to the pharmacists; and a final workshop providing additional educational information and improving the networking was conducted.

Components

  1. Focus groups with pharmacists to discuss the Pharmacy Board Guidelines to Residential Care Facilities, and the implementation of the Guidelines.
  2. Educational workshops to present basic clinical training.
  3. Final workshops presenting additional educational material, improving the networks established in the previous workshops, and discussing problems and solutions encountered so far with the implementation of the Guidelines.

Expected Impact

Issues regarding implementation of the Pharmacy Board Guidelines have been highlighted and need to be addressed. These include:

  • recruitment of pharmacists to rural areas
  • training for pharmacists to provide clinical services
  • the need for increased communication with other health professionals

For further information contact:

Anne Leversha, Project Manager, Monash University School of Rural Health
Ayron Teed, Consultant Pharmacist, PO Box 48, Harcourt Vic 3453