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Management of Medicines in Chronic Illness: Views of Community Pharmacists in New South Wales
Author(s) -
Lehnbom Elin C,
Boxall Annemarie,
Russell Lesley M,
Brien Joanne E
Publication year - 2009
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.2055-2335.2009.tb00454.x
Subject(s) - medicine , teamwork , pharmacy , family medicine , chronic disease , health care , multidisciplinary approach , clinical pharmacy , nursing , social science , sociology , political science , law , economics , economic growth
Background Healthcare reforms are needed to meet the predicted increase in the chronic disease burden. A multidisciplinary team approach has been extensively evaluated and shown to improve health outcomes. There is also support for including pharmacists in these teams. Pharmacists have valuable insight, from a medication perspective, to improve the management of patients with chronic illness. Aim To explore the perceptions of community pharmacists regarding the incentives, barriers and solutions in managing the medication regimens of patients with chronic illness. Method Semi‐structured group discussions and individual interviews were conducted in October and November 2008 with community pharmacists working in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains. Results Community pharmacists struggle to provide optimal care for patients with chronic illness. Identified reasons include poor communication with patients and health professionals, lack of care coordination and continuity of care. Many patients were thought to struggle financially when managing a chronic illness, which negatively influenced their adherence to medication regimens and recommendations on lifestyle changes. Better teamwork and communication, possibly through co‐locating health professionals under one roof were suggested by pharmacists as possible solutions. Conclusion Pharmacists have a good understanding of patients' social circumstances but lack relevant clinical data. Community pharmacists are willing to take a greater role in the management of patients with chronic illness.