Advancing Pharmacists’ Role in Primary Care

Highlights from the National Symposium for Pharmacists in General Practice 2024

In February 2024, Went West (Western Sydney Primary Health Network) buzzed with energy as it hosted the second National Symposium for Pharmacists in General Practice (NS24). With sponsorship from the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), the event offered a setting for demonstrating the multitude of methods through which pharmacists are involved in primary care settings all around Australia. Under the umbrella topic of Quality Improvement (QI), participants from all around the nation came together to exchange ideas on role development, progress tracking, and methods to measure the impact of their efforts.

The NS24 Symposium was thoughtfully selected to include regional viewpoints in an effective collaboration with the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), guaranteeing a stimulating exchange of ideas. Participants were given the exceptional chance to gather at PSA state offices, encouraging broad involvement and vital local networking. Each session featured a national overview, followed by insights from state-based groups on local strategies and challenges.

Each session was meticulously crafted, beginning with a comprehensive national overview. Subsequently, in-depth analyses of regional approaches and obstacles provided a comprehensive perspective on pharmacists’ involvement in primary care throughout Australia.

Renowned GP pharmacist, Debbie Rigby, led sessions emphasizing pharmacists’ pivotal role in supporting primary care, maximising medication use, and ensuring patient safety across the healthcare spectrum.

Scott Walters, a pharmacist and Senior Programme Manager for Collaborative Commissioning at Went West, set the tone with the innovative strategy for regional health adopted by Went West, emphasising the need for fair access, cooperative teamwork, and proactive community involvement.

PSA’s National President, Assoc. Prof. Fei Sim, highlighted pharmacists’ impact. Her observations brought to light the critical role that pharmacists play in strengthening primary care and improving the safe and effective administration of medications, particularly in specialised fields related to medication safety.

Dr. Walid Jammal discussed future of primary healthcare, using the Primary Health Care 10-Year Plan for sustainability and equitable access. These viewpoints framed the way towards a more resilient and inclusive healthcare sector, giving the symposium’s debates greater depth.

Brisbane South PHN

Dr. Jean Spinks, Nicole Forrester, and Marissa Stelmaschuk led discussions on the ground-breaking ACTMED trial, showcasing a custom safety dashboard to reduce medication-related issues and significant cost savings that the healthcare system may achieve by implementing evidence-based clinical indicators.

Western Australia Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA)

Tim Chan highlighted WAPHA’s focus on implementing robust quality improvement frameworks in general practice, utilizing non-dispensing pharmacists (NDPs) for optimal patient care along with plans underway to establish a dedicated NDP community of practice. These project-based strategies showcase a commitment to sustainability and excellence in patient care.

Practice Examples

Bree Armstrong’s chronic disease management for elderly individuals and Anouska Feszczur’s innovative care for chronic lung conditions demonstrated patient-centered approaches for improved health outcomes. Their unique cyclical methodology provided a fresh perspective on patient-centered care, emphasizing tailored solutions for improved health outcomes.

Cardiology in the Community (CIC) Program

Maha Sedhom, WentWest’s Quality Improvement Implementation Lead, detailed the CIC program’s evolution, enhancing cardiovascular disease management with devices like KardiaMobile and HeartBug, emphasizing improved patient care and provider awareness. The integration of devices such as KardiaMobile and HeartBug into practice workflows was highlighted by PIGPs (Pharmacists in General Practice), showcasing how these tools enhanced patient care and provider awareness.

The symposium underscored the collaborative efforts between pharmacists, GPs, and other healthcare professionals, emphasizing the power of a multidisciplinary approach to healthcare. It showcased the impact of pharmacists embedded in general practice, supported by PHNs, in maximizing healthcare outcomes. In the realm of general practice, pharmacists thrive on teamwork, fostering effective relationships, and fostering open communication to amplify engagement and achieve positive outcomes. By aligning skilled professionals in collaborative and supportive environments, the best results are ensured—for patients, healthcare teams, and the broader system.

The showcased examples vividly illustrate this potential, underlining the need for dedicated, ongoing funding to make pharmacist integration a standard practice within the Australian healthcare landscape.

In conclusion, the event highlighted the necessity for sustained funding to establish pharmacists’ roles as a regular component of the Australian healthcare system. The symposium’s success stands as a testament to the potential of pharmacists in general practice, emphasizing the significance of teamwork, effective relationships, and open communication in achieving positive outcomes for patients, healthcare teams, and the broader healthcare system.

Please contact Tim Perry tim.perry@wentwest.com.au from WentWest PHN for more information.