Clinical networks influencing policy and practice: the establishment of advanced practice pharmacist roles for specialist palliative care services in South Australia
Kate Swetenham A D , Debra Rowett B and David Stephenson CA Southern Adelaide Palliative Services, 700 Goodwood Road, Daw Park, SA 5041, Australia.
B Drug and Therapeutics Information Service, Repatriation General Hospital, Daws Rd, Daw Park, SA 5041, Australia. Email: debra.rowett@health.sa.gov.au
C Central Adelaide Palliative Services, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 28 Woodville Rd, Woodville South, SA 5011, Australia. Email: david.stephenson@health.sa.gov.au
D Corresponding author. Email: kate.swetenham@health.sa.gov.au
Australian Health Review 38(2) 238-241 https://doi.org/10.1071/AH13030
Submitted: 29 January 2013 Accepted: 22 December 2013 Published: 27 March 2014
Journal Compilation © AHHA 2014
Abstract
Objectives To operationalise the concept of ‘advanced practice roles’ in pharmacy within the new integrated regionalised palliative care service model outlined in the Palliative Care Services Plan 2009–2016, SA Health.
Methods A working group was established under the auspices of the Palliative Care Clinical Network to progress the development of advanced practice pharmacist roles for regionalised palliative care services. A pharmacy stakeholder forum was conducted in December 2010 to provide further guidance on the advanced practice pharmacist roles in the following domains: education; network links and partnerships; quality and safety; and research.
Results Advanced practice pharmacist positions were created for each of the three regionalised palliative care services in South Australia (SA). Funding was obtained for a Statewide Palliative Care Pharmacy Network project, to build a sustainable community-based palliative care pharmacy network. Advanced practice pharmacists commenced in the regionalised palliative care services of SA on 4 October 2011.
Conclusions The Statewide Palliative Care Clinical Network and the SA Palliative Care Plan provided a policy framework that supported involvement and advocacy in the planning of the advanced practice pharmacist roles. Collaboration between leaders in workforce reform, service planners, specialist palliative care providers and the pharmacy sector was a key enabler for developing the advanced practice pharmacist positions for regionalised palliative care services.
What is known about the topic? The advanced practice palliative care pharmacist role reflects a new direction for the discipline of pharmacy and has been embraced at a time when a nationally endorsed Advanced Pharmacy Practice Framework has been published, while recognising that registration for pharmacists in Australia currently does not have specific endorsement for advanced practice.
What does this paper add? This paper outlines the value of collaboration across settings and sectors. There is an opportunity for these roles to align with the new nationally endorsed framework for advanced practice in pharmacy.
What are the implications for practitioners? These new positions strengthen the links between the hospital and community pharmacy sectors to enhance a quality use of medicines approach with improved access to end-of-life medicines for home-based palliative care clients, which actively facilitates a home death for those who choose it.
References
[1] South Australia Health. South Australia’s health care plan (2007–2016). Adelaide: SA Health Available at http://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/893b1180428de54db565b7e7eece1070/sahcp-sahealth-20072016.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=893b1180428de54db565b7e7eece1070 [verified 27 January 2013].[2] South Australia Health. Statewide services plan–palliative care 2009–2016. Adelaide: SA Health. Available at http://www.health.sa.gov.au/Portals/0/palliative-care-plan-2009-2016.pdf [verified 27 January 2013].
[3] The Advanced Practice Pharmacy Framework Steering Committee Advanced pharmacy practice framework for Australia. 2012. Available at http://www.shpa.org.au/lib/pdf/whatsnew/Advanced_Pharmacy_Practice_Framework_nov2012.pdf [verified 27 January 2013].
[4] Coombes I, Bates I, Duggan C, Galbraith K. Developing and recognising advanced practitioners in Australia; an opportunity for a maturing profession? J Pharm Pract Res 2011; 41 17–20.
[5] Australian Pharmacy Council. Advanced and extended pharmacy practice. An environmental snapshot. Canberra: Australian Pharmacy Council. Available at: http://pharmacycouncil.org.au/content/assets/files/Publications/An%20Environmental%20snapshot%20on%20Advanced%20and%20Extended%20Pharmacy%20Practice%20September%202013.pdf [verified 10 December 2013].
[6] Palliative Care Expert Group. Therapeutic guidelines: palliative care, version 3. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited; 2010.
[7] Hussainy SY, Box M, Scholes S. Piloting the role of the pharmacist in a community palliative care multidisciplinary team: an Australian experience. BMC Palliat Care 2011; 10 16
| Piloting the role of the pharmacist in a community palliative care multidisciplinary team: an Australian experience.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22035160PubMed |
[8] Currow DC, Agar MR, To TH, Rowett D, Greene A, Abernethy AP. Adverse events in hospice and palliative care: a pilot study to determine feasibility of collection and baseline rates. J Palliat Med 2011; 14 309–14.
| Adverse events in hospice and palliative care: a pilot study to determine feasibility of collection and baseline rates.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21247301PubMed |
[9] Lucey M, McQuillan R, MacCallion A, Corrigan M, Flynn J, Connaire K. Access to medications in the community by patients in a palliative setting. A systems analysis. Palliat Med 2008; 22 185–9.
| Access to medications in the community by patients in a palliative setting. A systems analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18372383PubMed |
[10] O’Connor M, Pugh J, Jiwa M, Hughes J, Fisher C. The Palliative Care Interdisciplinary Team: where is the community pharmacist? J Palliat Med 2011; 14 7–11.
| The Palliative Care Interdisciplinary Team: where is the community pharmacist?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21244249PubMed |
[11] Gilbar P, Stefaniuk K. The role of the pharmacist in palliative care: results of a survey conducted in Australia and Canada. J Palliat Care 2002; 18 287–92.
| 12611320PubMed |
[12] Walker K. Role of the pharmacist in palliative care. Progr Palliat Care 2010; 18 132–9.
| Role of the pharmacist in palliative care.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[13] American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Statement on the pharmacist’s role in hospice and palliative care. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2002; 59 1770–3.
| 12298116PubMed |
[14] Economist Intelligence Unit. The quality of death: ranking end of life of care across the world. Report commissioned by the Lien Foundation, Singapore. 2010. Available at http://graphics.eiu.com/upload/QOD_main_final_edition_Jul12_toprint.pdf [verified 27 January 2013].
[15] Crawford GB. Pharmacists needed as part of the palliative care team. Australas J Pharm 2008; 89 24
[16] Rowett D, Ravenscroft PJ, Hardy J, Currow DC. Using national health policies to improve access to palliative care medications in the community. J Pain Symptom Manage 2009; 37 395–402.
| Using national health policies to improve access to palliative care medications in the community.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18722748PubMed |
