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Pharmacist Prescribing: Views of Australian Hospital Pharmacists
Author(s) -
Hanes Carissa A,
Bajorek Beata V
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of pharmacy practice and research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 2055-2335
pISSN - 1445-937X
DOI - 10.1002/j.2055-2335.2005.tb00332.x
Subject(s) - medicine , pharmacist , accreditation , family medicine , project commissioning , nursing , health care , clinical pharmacy , focus group , pharmacy , publishing , medical education , business , marketing , political science , law , economics , economic growth
Aim To explore the views of a sample of Australian hospital pharmacists on prescribing privileges. Method The study involved a questionnaire and a focus group discussion for hospital pharmacists and teacher practitioners. Participants could participate in either or both of these activities. Results 15 pharmacists completed the questionnaire and 8 participated in the focus group discussion. Several models of pharmacist prescribing (discharge and specialist settings) were seen to be appropriate and useful to Australian practice. 93% of pharmacists noted that prescribing privileges would enable them to provide more efficient/improved pharmaceutical care; 64% that prescribing would result in reduced healthcare costs; and all noted physician opposition as a barrier. Pharmacists indicated that they already prescribed on an ‘unofficial’ basis. Training and accreditation beyond registration was deemed necessary by all pharmacists. Conclusion Hospital discharge or specialist settings may be most appropriate to pilot pharmacist prescribing in Australia. Further research on a larger scale is needed to provide a base of evidence before this practice is pursued.