scholarly journals Clinical pharmacist facilitators in primary care: a descriptive study of their roles and services provided in general practices of southern New Zealand

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sivamanoj Yadav Boyina ◽  
Tim Stokes ◽  
Angela Renall ◽  
Rhiannon Braund

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTIONInternationally, the inclusion of pharmacists into general practice as clinical pharmacy facilitators has improved patient outcomes. However, clinical pharmacists are relatively new to southern New Zealand general practices and their range of services has not been studied. AIMSTo describe the implementation of clinical pharmacist services in general practices in the Southern region; to examine the tasks conducted by clinical pharmacy facilitators; and to determine the characteristics of patients who access this service. METHODSThe establishment and development of the clinical pharmacy facilitator role was determined by documentation held within the local Primary Health Organisation. The activities performed by clinical pharmacy facilitators were collected from patient medical records for the period 31 March 2015 to 31 March 2018. To describe the characteristics of patients receiving these services, a retrospective case note review of patients seen by the facilitators was conducted. RESULTSThe clinical pharmacy facilitator role was initiated with three pharmacists in three geographical locations across the region. Within 18 months, the number of facilitators was increased to eight. As a result of collaboration with the general practice team, 42% of referrals came from general practitioners directly. Overall, 2621 medicine-related problems were identified in 2195 patients. Dosage adjustment was the most common recommendation made by pharmacy facilitators. They consulted mostly older patients and patients taking five or more medicines. DISCUSSIONWith effective collaboration, clinical pharmacy facilitators can play a key role in optimisation of medicines therapy.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Katrina Fyers

<p>This study makes visible and gives value to the day-to-day experience of practice nurses who work in New Zealand general practices. Nursing leaders internationally and locally have highlighted the importance of the Primary Health Care nurse to improving health outcomes, addressing inequalities and implementing new models of care. As one of the largest groups of Primary Health Care nurses, practice nurses have a significant part to play. There is however, no consensus and limited research related to the day-to-day experience of practice nurses. Therefore, the nature, extent, and contribution of nursing in general practice may be overlooked or misunderstood. Furthermore as an autonomous self-regulating profession, nursing has a responsibility to the public to provide understanding of nursing in the present and in the future, particularly when this relates to the care of families and the structure of health systems. Located within the qualitative research paradigm and utilising a narrative inquiry methodology, this study applies a 'supportive voice' to highlight the experience of five practice nurses, and in the process makes visible the dimensions of nursing work in New Zealand general practices. The five constructed narratives particularly draw attention to the complex nature of nursing work that practice nurses engage in daily, the importance of nurse-patient relationships and continuity of care and the significance of autonomous and specialty aspects of nursing practice. Ultimately, the value of the practice nurse in the day-to-day operation of general practice is brought to the fore.</p>


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Katrina Fyers

<p>This study makes visible and gives value to the day-to-day experience of practice nurses who work in New Zealand general practices. Nursing leaders internationally and locally have highlighted the importance of the Primary Health Care nurse to improving health outcomes, addressing inequalities and implementing new models of care. As one of the largest groups of Primary Health Care nurses, practice nurses have a significant part to play. There is however, no consensus and limited research related to the day-to-day experience of practice nurses. Therefore, the nature, extent, and contribution of nursing in general practice may be overlooked or misunderstood. Furthermore as an autonomous self-regulating profession, nursing has a responsibility to the public to provide understanding of nursing in the present and in the future, particularly when this relates to the care of families and the structure of health systems. Located within the qualitative research paradigm and utilising a narrative inquiry methodology, this study applies a 'supportive voice' to highlight the experience of five practice nurses, and in the process makes visible the dimensions of nursing work in New Zealand general practices. The five constructed narratives particularly draw attention to the complex nature of nursing work that practice nurses engage in daily, the importance of nurse-patient relationships and continuity of care and the significance of autonomous and specialty aspects of nursing practice. Ultimately, the value of the practice nurse in the day-to-day operation of general practice is brought to the fore.</p>


2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 22
Author(s):  
Sarah L. Hewitt ◽  
Nicolette F. Sheridan ◽  
Karen Hoare ◽  
Jane E. Mills

Limited knowledge about the nursing workforce in New Zealand general practice inhibits the optimal use of nurses in this increasingly complex setting. Using workforce survey data published biennially by the Nursing Council of New Zealand, this study describes the characteristics of nurses in general practice and contrasts them with the greater nursing workforce, including consideration of changes in the profiles between 2015 and 2019. The findings suggest the general practice nursing workforce is older, less diverse, more predominately New Zealand trained and very much more likely to work part-time than other nurses. There is evidence that nurses in general practice are increasingly primary health care focused, as they take on expanded roles and responsibilities. However, ambiguity about terminology and the inability to track individuals in the data are limitations of this study. Therefore, it was not possible to identify and describe cohorts of nurses in general practice by important characteristics, such as prescribing authority, regionality and rurality. A greater national focus on defining and tracking this pivotal workforce is called for to overcome role confusion and better facilitate the use of nursing scopes of practice.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 373
Author(s):  
Steven Lillis ◽  
Liza Lack

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTIONRepeat prescribing is common in New Zealand general practice. Research also suggests that repeat prescribing is a process prone to error. All New Zealand general practices have to comply with requirements to have a repeat prescribing policy, with the details of the policy to be designed by the practice. AIMTo inform the development of practice policy, research was undertaken with experienced general practitioners to identify and mitigate risk in the process. METHODSAt the 2019 annual conference of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, a workshop was held with 58 experienced general practitioner participants. The group was divided into six small groups, each with the task of discussing one aspect of the repeat prescribing process. The results were then discussed with the whole group and key discussion points were transcribed and analysed. RESULTSIssues identified included: improving patient education on appropriateness of repeat prescribing; having protected time for medicine reconciliation and the task of repeat prescribing; reducing the number of personnel and steps in the process; and clarity over responsibility for repeat prescribing. DISCUSSIONThis research can inform the local development of a repeat prescribing policy at the practice level or be used to critique existing practice policies. Attention was also drawn to the increasing administrative burden that repeat prescribing contributes to in general practice.


2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona Doolan-Noble ◽  
Jocelyn Tracey ◽  
Stewart Mann

INTRODUCTION: Multiple New Zealand and other international studies have identified gaps in the management of those identified at high risk of a future cardiovascular (CV) event. This study sought to explore the views of health professionals about the barriers and facilitators present within the current primary health care system to the optimal management of those at high CV risk. METHODS: This qualitative study utilised a focus group methodology to examine the barriers and facilitators within primary health care (PHC), and employed a general inductive approach to analyse the text data. FINDINGS: The analysis of text data resulted in the emergence of interrelated themes, underpinned by subthemes. The patient, their circumstances and their characteristics and perceptions provided the first key theme and subthemes. The next key theme was primary health care providers, with subthemes of communication and values and beliefs. The general practice was the third theme and included multiple subthemes: implementation planning and pathway development, time and workload and roles and responsibilities. The final main theme was the health system with the subthemes linking to funding and leadership. CONCLUSION: This study determined the factors that act as barriers and facilitators to the effective management of those at high CV risk within the New Zealand PHC sector. General practice has a pivotal role in preventive health care, but to succeed there needs to be a refocusing of the PHC sector, requiring support from policy makers, District Health Boards and Primary Health Organisations, as well as those working in the sector. KEYWORDS: Primary health care; high cardiovascular risk management; general practitioners; practice nurses; barriers; facilitators


2013 ◽  
Vol 63 (613) ◽  
pp. e543-e553 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony J Avery ◽  
Maisoon Ghaleb ◽  
Nick Barber ◽  
Bryony Dean Franklin ◽  
Sarah J Armstrong ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven A. Trankle ◽  
Christine Metusela ◽  
Jennifer Reath

Abstract Background Cancer is a major cause of illness and death, and its incidence and mortality can be reduced through effective screening. In order to improve below target screening rates in one region of Australia, the local Primary Health Network supported local general practices to implement a range of quality improvement initiatives. Methods We used a qualitative approach and interviewed 18 general practice staff and five Primary Health Network staff and contractors to understand their experiences with these quality improvement initiatives. Results In a thematic analysis, we identified four key themes related to program set-up and implementation; patient and community education and promotion; engaging patients and communities in screening; and general practice enhancement. Program roles were clear and understood, and the program received strong oversight and support. Practice staff felt supported and motivated. Information Technology was a challenge for many practices often requiring tailored assistance. Education provided by practices facilitated patient empowerment but practice staff noted difficulties engaging patients in screening. Practices were enhanced though strong leadership and teamwork and practice learning activities. Conclusions The tailored evidence-based quality improvement initiatives were considered effective in supporting general practices to increase their cancer screening. Key facilitators reported by participants included use of Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles, enhanced data entry and audit capacity, effective recall and reminder systems and maintaining staff motivation.


2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marjan Kljakovic ◽  
Jo Risk

INTRODUCTION: Understanding patients’ awareness of the anatomical placement of their body organs is important for doctor–patient communication. AIM: To measure the correct anatomical placement of body organs by people from Australian and New Zealand general practices METHOD: A questionnaire survey containing drawings of 11 organs placed in different locations within each drawing. RESULTS: Among 1156 participants, there was no difference in the proportion of correct placement of 11 organs between Australian (51.7%) and New Zealand (49.6%) general practices. There was a positive correlation between the proportion of correctly placed organs and the age participants left school (p=0.012) and a negative correlation with the number of GP visits in the previous year (p=0.040). Participants from rural Australia were more likely to correctly place organs than urban participants (p=0.018). The mean proportion of organs correctly placed for doctors was 80.5%, nurses 66.5%, allied health 61.5%, health administrators 50.6% and the remaining consulting patients 51.3%. DISCUSSION: Patients from Australian and New Zealand general practice were poorly aware of the correct placement of organs. Health professionals were moderately better than patients at correct placement. KEYWORDS: Health knowledge; attitudes; practice; anatomy; general practice


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 146 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Rowe ◽  
R. Keenan ◽  
L. Lack ◽  
N. Malloy ◽  
R. Strasser ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT BACKGROUNDCommunity engagement is believed to be an important component of quality primary health care. We aimed to capture specific examples of community engagement by general practices, and to understand the barriers that prevent engagement. METHODSWe conducted 20 distinct interviews with 31 key informants from general practice and the wider community. The interviews were semi-structured around key relevant topics and were analysed thematically. RESULTSKey themes identified from the interview transcripts included an understanding of ‘community’, examples of community engagement and the perceived benefits and barriers to community-engaged general practice. We particularly explored aspects of community engagement with Māori. CONCLUSIONSGeneral practices in the study do not think in terms of communities, and they do not have a systematic framework for engagement. Although local champions have generated some great initiatives, most practices seemed to lack a conceptual framework for engagement: who to engage with, how to engage with them, and how to evaluate the results of the engagement.


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