Multi-site evaluation of partnered pharmacist medication charting and in-hospital length of stay.

AIMS: To undertake a multicentre evaluation of translation of a partnered pharmacist medication charting (PPMC) model in patients admitted to general medical units in public hospitals in the state of Victoria, Australia. METHODS: Unblinded, prospective cohort study comparing patients before and after the intervention. Conducted in seven public hospitals in Victoria, Australia from 20 June 2016 to 30 June 2017. Patients admitted to general medical units were included in the study. Medication charting by pharmacists using a partnered pharmacist model was compared to traditional medication charting. The primary outcome variable was the length of inpatient hospital stay. Secondary outcome measures were medication errors detected within 24 h of the patients' admission, identified by an independent pharmacist assessor. RESULTS: A total of 8648 patients were included in the study. Patients who had PPMC had reduced median length of inpatient hospital stay from 4.7 (interquartile range 2.8-8.2) days to 4.2 (interquartile range 2.3-7.5) days (P < 0.001). PPMC was associated with a reduction in the proportion of patients with at least 1 medication error from 66% to 3.6% with a number needed to treat to prevent 1 error of 1.6 (95% confidence interval: 1.57-1.64). CONCLUSION: Expansion of the partnered pharmacist charting model across multiple organisations was effective and feasible and is recommended for adoption by health services.

Evaluation of a new educational workplace-based program for provisionally registered pharmacists in Australia.

OBJECTIVE: The Intern Foundation Program (IFP) is an innovative new program for intern pharmacists (provisionally registered pharmacists) that integrates academic theory with structured workplace learning and regular feedback, incorporates research training, and streamlines training of clinical educators (CEs). The aim of this research was to evaluate aspects of the IFP from the perspectives of both CEs and interns, gauging opinion about the impact on workload, structured workplace learning, addition of research training, CE-student relationships, CE standardized training, and intern transition to practice. METHODS: Two focus groups were conducted to explore CE (N = 6) and pharmacy intern (N = 7) perspectives of the IFP. A topic guide was constructed to address the research aims. Thematic analysis was undertaken by two team members independently then in discussion. RESULTS: Both the CE and intern groups reported that the IFP enabled more structured supervision and fostered a better intern-CE relationship with beneficial support from the university. IFP standardized rubrics and checklists used as part of workplace learning assisted with more consistent feedback for interns and training approaches for CEs alongside CE training. Participants also reported that undertaking a research project provided them with enhanced learning and new skill development. CONCLUSIONS: Participants in the pilot agreed that the IFP is a valuable program, deemed complementary to the intern training program that assists intern transition to independent practice through implementation of a unique curriculum based largely on workplace learning, research training, fostering better CE-intern relationships, robust CE training, and close university-workplace support.

Pharmacy education in the context of Australian practice.

Accredited pharmacy programs in Australia provide a high standard of pharmacy education, attracting quality students. The principal pharmacy degree remains the 4-year bachelor of pharmacy degree; however, some universities offer graduate-entry master of pharmacy degrees taught in 6 semesters over a 2-year period. Curricula include enabling and applied pharmaceutical science, pharmacy practice, and clinical and experiential teaching, guided by competency standards and an indicative curriculum (a list of topics that are required to be included in a pharmacy degree curriculum before the program must be accredited by the Australian Pharmacy Council). Graduate numbers have increased approximately 250% with a dramatic increase from 6 pharmacy degree programs in 1997 to 21 such programs in 2008. Graduates must complete approximately 12 months of internship in a practice setting after graduation and prior to the competency-based registration examinations. An overview of pharmacy education in Australia is provided in the context of the healthcare system, a national system for subsidizing the cost of prescription medicines, the Australian National Medicines Policy and the practice of pharmacy. Furthermore, the innovations in practice and technology that will influence education in the future are discussed.

Australian national strategy for pharmacy preceptor education and support.

OBJECTIVES: (i) To develop a national strategy for pharmacy preceptor education and support, with special consideration for rural and remote practitioners. (ii) To deliver an innovative national core pharmacist preceptor education and support model that could be customised for specific undergraduate programs. DESIGN: A steering committee, with representatives from four Pharmacy Schools in three Australian states, was established to develop an educational curriculum and implementation strategy. SETTING: The project was designed to provide an online educational program for preceptors of Australian pharmacy students, particularly those in rural areas. SUBJECTS: The recipients of this program will primarily be rural pharmacy preceptors but could also be urban practitioners. INTERVENTIONS: After consultation with an advisory group, the steering committee considered the educational content, delivery strategy and adaptability of the package to maintain its currency and links to universities, pharmacy boards and professional organisations: an extensive literature search was conducted; writers and an educational designer were employed. The steering committee reviewed and modified the content before transfer of the program to the worldwide web. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The development of a Pharmacy Preceptor Education Program suitable for national application and able to fulfil the needs of rural preceptors. RESULTS: A Preceptor Education Program has been developed suitable for use in all Australian states and capable of meeting the needs of rural pharmacy preceptors. CONCLUSIONS: Collaboration between four schools of pharmacy and pharmacy professional bodies has resulted in development of a flexible program for preceptors of undergraduate pharmacy students. This program can be developed for use by preceptors of pharmacy graduates, and in other disciplines.