Evaluating Potential Outcomes Of General Practice Pharmacist-led Activities In The Australian Setting

• By: SUDESHIKA, Thilini (University Of Canberra, Australia)
• Co-author(s): Mrs Thilini Sudeshika (Discipline of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australia)
  Ms Louise S. Deeks (Discipline of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australia)
  Professor Mark Naunton (Discipline of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australia)
  Prof. Gregory M. Peterson (School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia)
  Associate Professor Sam Kosari (Discipline of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australia)
  
• Abstract:

  Background: Pharmacists have been co-located in general practice teams to support the quality use of medicines and optimise patient health outcomes. Evidence of the impact of pharmacist-led activities in Australian general practices is sparse. This study aimed to evaluate the potential clinical, economic, and organisational outcomes of pharmacist-led activities in general practices.
  Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in eight general practices in the Australian Capital Territory, where each general practice employed a pharmacist on a part-time basis for 18 months. A recommended, but flexible, list of activities was provided for pharmacists. Descriptive information on general practice pharmacist-led activities, collected with an online diary, was analysed. The potential clinical, economic, and organisational impact of pharmacist-led clinical activities was evaluated using the CLinical Economic Organisational (CLEO) tool, with a modified economic dimension.
  Results: Nine pharmacists reported 4,290 activities over 3918.5 work hours in general practice. Medication management services were the primary clinical activity of pharmacists. In medication reviews, 75% of pharmacists’ recommendations were fully accepted by general practitioners. Conducting clinical audits, updating patients’ medical records, and providing information to patients and staff were other major activities of pharmacists. Of 2,419 clinical activities, around 50% had the potential for a moderate or major positive clinical impact on patients. Sixty-three per cent of activities had the potential to decrease healthcare costs. Almost all the pharmacist-led clinical activities had a positive organisational impact.
  Conclusion: Most pharmacist-led clinical activities in general practice had the potential for a positive impact on patients and reduction in healthcare costs, supporting the expansion of this relatively new model in Australia.