scholarly journals Community pharmacy in Australia

2004 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shalom I Benrimoj ◽  
Michael S Frommer
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Retail Trade ◽  
Future Contribution ◽  
Central Theme ◽  
Australian Government ◽  
The Public ◽  
Australian Health ◽  
Pharmacy Profession

This article describes the evolution of community pharmacy in the Australian health system, and assesses its current and potential future contribution to health care. A central theme is the unique extent and accessibility of community pharmacy to the public, with a vast and dispersed infrastructure that is funded by private enterprise. The viability of community pharmacy as a retail trade depends on a diversification of its service roles and retention of its product-supply roles. Initiatives by the pharmacy profession, the pharmacy industry and the Australian Government are likely to give community pharmacy an increasingly prominent place in health promotion and primary, secondary and tertiary prevention, especially in relation to the management of chronic diseases.

Benefits, Challenges, and Social Impact of Health Care Providers’ Adoption of Social Media

2021 ◽  
pp. 089443932110257
Author(s):  
Md Irfanuzzaman Khan ◽  
Jennifer (M.I.) Loh
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Australian Health ◽  
Actual Use ◽  
Use Of Social Media

With the advent of telecommunication technologies and social media, many health care professionals are using social media to communicate with their patients and to promote health. However, the literature reveals a lacuna in our understanding of health care professionals’ perception of their behavioral intentions to use innovations. Using the Unified Technology Acceptance Framework (unified theory of acceptance and use of technology), in-depth interviews were conducted with 16 Australian health care experts to uncover their intent and actual use of social media in their medical practices. Results revealed that social media tools offered five significant benefits such as (i) enhanced communication between health care professionals and their patients, (ii) community support, (iii) enabled e-learning, (iv) enhanced professional network, and (v) expedited health promotion. However, result also revealed barriers to social media usage including (i) inefficiency, (ii) privacy concerns, (iii) poor quality of information, (iv) lack of trust, and (v) blurred professional boundary. Peer influence and supporting conditions were also found to be determinants of social media adoption behaviors among health care professionals. This study has important implications for health care providers, patients, and policy makers on the responsible use of social media, health promotion, and health communication. This research is also among the very few studies that explore Australian health care professionals’ intent and actual use of innovations within a health care setting.

scholarly journals Primary health care policy and vision for community pharmacy and pharmacists in Australia

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 1967 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Dineen-Griffin ◽  
Shalom I. Benrimoj ◽  
Victoria Garcia-Cardenas
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Multidisciplinary Teams ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Australian Government ◽  
Primary Health

There is evidence that the Australian Government is embracing a more integrated approach to health, with implementation of initiatives like primary health networks (PHNs) and the Government’s Health Care Homes program. However, integration of community pharmacy into primary health care faces challenges, including the lack of realistic integration in PHNs, and in service and remuneration models from government. Ideally, coordinated multidisciplinary teams working collaboratively in the community setting are needed, where expanding skills are embraced rather than resisted. It appears that community pharmacy is not sufficiently represented at a local level. Current service remuneration models encourage a volume approach. While more complex services and clinical roles, with associated remuneration structures (such as, accredited pharmacists, pharmacists embedded in general practice and residential aged care facilities) promote follow up, collaboration and integration into primary health care, they potentially marginalize community pharmacies. Community pharmacists’ roles have evolved and are being recognized as the medication management experts of the health care team at a less complex level with the delivery of MedChecks, clinical interventions and medication adherence services. More recently, vaccination services have greatly expanded through community pharmacy. Policy documents from professional bodies highlight the need to extend pharmacy services and enhance integration within primary care. The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s Pharmacists in 2023 report envisages pharmacists practising to full scope, driving greater efficiencies in the health system. The Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s future vision identifies community pharmacy as health hubs facilitating the provision of cost-effective and integrated health care services to patients. In 2019, the Australian Government announced the development of a Primary Health Care 10-Year Plan which will guide resource allocation for primary health care in Australia. At the same time, the Government has committed to conclude negotiations on the 7th Community Pharmacy Agreement (7CPA) with a focus on allowing pharmacists to practice to full scope and pledges to strengthen the role of primary care by better supporting pharmacists as primary health care providers. The 7CPA and the Government’s 10-year plan will largely shape the practice and viability of community pharmacy. It is essential that both provide a philosophical direction and prioritize integration, remuneration and resources which recognize the professional contribution and competencies of community pharmacy and community pharmacists, the financial implications of service roles and the retention of medicines-supply roles.

The Use of Australian Health Care Services by Overseas Visitors: Some Data-Related Problems for Policy Makers

1992 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 51-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Barraclough ◽  
Carol McBain
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Federal Government ◽  
Government Policy ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Current Level ◽  
Australian Government ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Australian Health ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Level Of Use

Very little is known about the usage of Australian health care services by overseas visitors. This is despite the fact that may visitors are entitled to treatment under Medicare due to the Federal government's policy of encouraging reciprocal health care agreements with a number of countries and the increased promotion of health care as an export commodity. It is therefore difficult to develop an overall picture of both the current level of use of Australian health care services by foreigners or to estimate projections of future demand. The absence of such data also means that it is not possible to be sure of the consequences of policies such as the easing of restrictions on medical visas and the promotion by the Australian government of a network of bilateral reciprocal health care agreements. In this article, federal government policy on the access of non-citizen visitors to Australian health care services is examined, various categories of visitors eligible for treatment under the Medicare scheme identified, and current methods of collecting data on visitors using Australian health services critically examined.

scholarly journals Editorial

2007 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 498
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Care Management ◽  
Models Of Care ◽  
Care Model ◽  
The Public ◽  
Australian Health ◽  
Care Models ◽  
Effectiveness And Efficiency ◽  
Regular Section ◽  
Health Review

THIS IS THE FOURTH ISSUE of Australian Health Review which has featured a ?Models of Care? section; now a regular section of the Journal. As 2007 draws to a close, the breadth of formalised care models (such as self-care management, case management and disease management) being implemented in the Australian health care system continues to be publicised. The number of Australian studies which evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of care model interventions is increasing. Being the optimist, I predict that the rate of publication of these studies will also increase. This is fundamental because the value of any intervention needs carefully constructed evaluation that enables results to be debated by experts in the public domain.

scholarly journals Exploring Accessibility of Community Pharmacy Services

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Kelling
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Access To Health Services ◽  
The Public ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Accessibility Of Health Services ◽  
System Access

Objective: To use selected literature to describe strengths and opportunities for improvement related to accessibility of health services in the community pharmacy setting. Summary: Pharmacists have been described as one of the most accessible health care professionals, particularly as nearly 90% of Americans live within 5 miles of a community pharmacy. However, geography alone does not provide access to health services. Individuals must be able to gain entry into the health care system, access a health care location where needed services are provided, and find a health care provider with whom the patient can communicate and trust. Current and potential opportunities for community pharmacists to increase access via each step are described. Conclusion: Community pharmacists are highly accessible health care professionals who are trusted by patients. Opportunities exist to further increase access to dispensing and non-dispensing services in order to better meet the needs of the public.   Type: Commentary

The 2003-2008 Australian Health Care Agreements - an industry perspective

2002 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Mark Cormack
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Public Hospital ◽  
Private Health Insurance ◽  
Health Care Industry ◽  
Health Programs ◽  
The Public ◽  
Australian Health ◽  
Equal Importance ◽  
National Industry ◽  
Special Priority

This paper presents a public hospital and health care industry perspective on the development of the 2003 - 2008 Australian Health Care Agreements. The Australian Healthcare Association conducted a national industry consultation exercise from June to September 2002 in the lead up to the development of the next round of agreements. While acknowledging that the size of the funding commitment from the Commonwealth to the states will be the central focus of negotiations, health industry representatives identified issues of equal importance. The AHCAs' linkages with other health programs need to reflect that health care has moved beyond the confines of the hospitals. Adjustments and output targets need to provide incentives to improve and reform the industry. The success of private health insurance policy has not yet translated into benefits for the public hospital sector, and any funding contingencies between the two programs cannot be justified at this time. Special priority areas such as health workforce will need specific policy and program responses.

scholarly journals Health care leadership, quality and safety

2009 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Duckett
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Health Care Leadership ◽  
The Public ◽  
Australian Health ◽  
Leadership Quality ◽  
Queensland Health ◽  
Health Quality ◽  
The University

THIS ISSUE OF Australian Health Review started as part of a Festschrift to celebrate the work and leadership of Professor Mike Ward, currently Commissioner of the Health Quality and Complaints Commission in Queensland but previously inaugural Senior Director of the Clinical Practice Improvement Centre in Queensland Health and a Professor of Medicine at the University of Queensland, as well as Commissioner of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. During his time at Queensland Health and in clinical practice, Mike made an outstanding contribution to health care in Queensland, recognised by the award of the Public Service Medal. Initially trained as a gastroenterologist, Professor Ward?s interest broadened to include organisational issues such as communication among teams, and how to measure and improve quality of care. He was particularly interested in methods of displaying data to highlight the underlying patterns in the information presented. Mike, not surprisingly for someone who occupied a professorial role, was also interested in the development of health professionals and played a key role in the creation and shaping of Queensland Health?s world renowned Skills Development Centre.

1997 Awards for Innovation and Excellence in Primary Health Care - Health Promotion: Syringe Disposal Hotline

1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 94
Author(s):  
Tony Palmer
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Syringe Exchange ◽  
Exchange Programs ◽  
The Public ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Syringe Disposal ◽  
Local Residents ◽  
Care Health

Brief Description of the Program: Although needle and syringe exchange programs (NSEP) remain integral to Australia's internationally recognised response to the pandemic, the public have very real concerns about the health risks posed by syringes that are improperly disposed. The Syringe Disposal Hotline provides a seven days per week advice, referral, collection and disposal service for local residents concerned about inappropriately discarded sharps.

scholarly journals Primary health care policy and vision for community pharmacy and pharmacists in Lebanon

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Souheil Hallit ◽  
Carla Abou Selwan ◽  
Pascale Salameh
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Strategic Plan ◽  
Pharmacy Education ◽  
World Health ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Pharmacy Profession

Within a crippling economic context and a rapidly evolving healthcare system, pharmacists in Lebanon are striving to promote their role in primary care. Community pharmacists, although held in high esteem by the population, are not recognised as primary health care providers by concerned authorities. They are perceived as medication sellers. The role of the pharmacist in primary health care networks, established by the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) to serve most vulnerable populations, is limited to medication delivery. The practice of the pharmacy profession in Lebanon has been regulated in 1950 by the Lebanese Pharmacists Association [Order of Pharmacists of Lebanon] (OPL). In 2016, the OPL published its mission, vision, and objectives, aiming to protect the pharmacists’ rights by enforcing rules and procedures, raise the profession’s level through continuous education, and ensure patients’ appropriate access to medications and pharmacist’s counseling for safe medication use. Since then, based on the identified challenges, the OPL has suggested several programs, inspired by the World Health Organization and the International Pharmaceutical Federation guidelines, as part of a strategic plan to develop the pharmacy profession and support patient safety. These programs included the application of principles of good governance, the provision of paid services, developing pharmacists’ core and advanced competencies, generation of accreditation standards for both community pharmacy and pharmacy education, suggesting new laws and decrees, continuing education consolidation and professional development. There was an emphasis on all decisions to be evidence assessment-based. However, OPL faces a major internal political challenge: its governing body, which is reelected every three years, holds absolute powers in changing strategies for the three-year mandate, without program continuation beyond each mandate. Within this context, we recommend the implementation of a strategic plan to integrate pharmacy in primary health centers, promoting the public health aspect of the profession and taking into account of critical health issues and the changing demographics and epidemiological transition of the Lebanese population. Unless the proposed blueprint in this paper is adopted, the profession is unfortunately condemned to disappear in the current political, economic and health-related Lebanese context.

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