Judith A. Singleton

Burning questions: Exploring the impact of natural disasters on community pharmacies

Background: The past decade has seen a rapid change in the climate system with an increased risk of extreme weather events. On and following the 3rd of January 2013, Tasmania experienced three catastrophic bushfires, which led to the evacuation of several communities, the loss of many properties, and a financial cost of approximately AUD

Leadership in Pharmacy Education

80 million. Objective: To explore the impacts of the 2012/2013 Tasmanian bushfires on community pharmacies. Method: Qualitative research methods were undertaken, employing semi‐structured telephone interviews with a purposive sample of seven Tasmanian pharmacists. The interviews were recorded and transcribed, and two different methods were used to analyze the text. The first method utilized Leximancer® text analytics software to provide a birds‐eye view of the conceptual structure of the text. The second method involved manual, open and axial coding, conducted independently by the two researchers for inter‐rater reliability, to identify key themes in the discourse. Results: Two main themes were identified – ‘people’ and ‘supply’ – from which six key concepts were derived. The six concepts were ‘patients,’ ‘pharmacists,’ ‘local doctor,’ ‘pharmacy operations,’ ‘disaster management planning,’ and ‘emergency supply regulation.’ Conclusion: This study identified challenges faced by community pharmacists during Tasmanian bushfires. Interviewees highlighted the need for both the Tasmanian State Government and the Australian Federal Government to recognize the important primary care role that community pharmacists play during natural disasters, and therefore involve pharmacists in disaster management planning. They called for greater support and guidance for community pharmacists from regulatory and other government bodies during these events. Their comments highlighted the need for a review of Tasmanias three‐day emergency supply regulation that allows pharmacists to provide a three‐day supply of a patients medication without a doctors prescription in an emergency situation.

Waiter, there is a drug in my soup – using Leximancer® to explore antecedents to pro-environmental behaviours in the hospital pharmacy workplace

Abstract The requirements of the pharmacy profession are changing globally, moving from a supply function to a more integrated health service delivery model. In line with this global change, the pharmacy education discipline is growing and evolving, and leadership in this area is developing globally. In 2016 the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) held the first global conference on Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Education, delivering “a coherent global vision for professional pharmacy education and workforce development” (International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), 2016, p. 4), aimed to align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and in particular Goal 3—Good Health and Well-Being (United Nations (UN), 2015). This chapter discusses the strategic direction that leaders in pharmacy education need to take in light of the challenges of a complex health system, and the evolving of new, expanded roles for pharmacists. This strategic direction aligns with global health workforce development goals. The authors describe some of the advanced scope roles pharmacists are undertaking, the skills required of our graduates to meet employers’ requirements and patients’ needs, and the type of leadership approach required to drive the change in the profession and in academic institutions. The WHO Vancouver Consultancy (International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), 2000) highlighted the need for a move away from the traditional, didactic mode of content delivery (with its passive transfer of knowledge) in pharmacy curricula, and for students to actively participate in the learning process. Therefore, the authors argue that leading change in pharmacy education requires leading change in curriculum design and delivery, and the authors describe what this new pharmacy curriculum might look like. Finally, the authors outline the strategic steps required to achieve this change.

Ready, willing and able: the role of pharmacists in natural and manmade disasters - can we do more?

The aim of this study was to explore Queensland hospital pharmacists’ and pharmacy technicians’ knowledge and understanding of the impact of pharmaceuticals on the environment and the handling of pharmaceutical waste.

Does Australian Pharmacy Curricula Prepare Students to Play a Role in Disasters

Study/Objective The purpose of this study is to describe all potential roles pharmacists can undertake during disasters, across the four stages of disaster health management – Prevention, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery (PPRR), and identify the barriers to implementing these roles. Background The collapse of basic health care services fol- lowing a disaster is the highest cause of mortalities, with the inability to access medications being the main reason. Pharmacists are reported to be the most easily accessible health care professional and are the third largest health care provider after doctors and nurses. In disasters, many affected people seek the assistance of pharmacists fi rst before potentially being referred on to a doctor or hospital. Pharmacists are on the frontline of continuity of care. The traditional role pharmacists play in times of crisis is a logistical role, maintaining the medicines ’ supply chain from manufacturer to patient. Although this is an essential role during disasters, it is not utilising pharmacists ’ entire skill set and knowledge. Disaster research is beginning to identify potential roles pharmacists can fulfil during natural and manmade disasters.

Does Australian Continuing Professional Development Activities Prepare Pharmacists to Play a Role in Disasters

To determine if Australian pharmacy curriculum prepares Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) students to play a role in disasters.

A New Recipe for Disaster Training in Australia

Study/Objective To determine if Australian pharmacy curriculum prepares Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) students to play a role in disasters. Background While health students are unlikely to perform clinical tasks during a disaster, with appropriate training they may provide support in non-clinical roles. Globally, several universities have begun to incorporate disaster education and training for various health professionals into curricula.

Ready, Willing, and Able: The Role of Pharmacists in Natural and Manmade Disasters - Can We Do More?

Study/Objective To develop core competencies and training recommendations for Australian Pharmacists to prepare them for responding to disasters. Background Health professionals contribute during disasters in an array of settings and roles. Pharmaceutical associations encourage pharmacists to be prepared and participate in dis- asters within ‘ traditional ’ and ‘ extended scope ’ roles. A plethora of training and competencies exist globally for health professionals in disasters. However, for one of the most accessible health professionals, pharmacists, training and competencies are lacking. Within Australia, there are currently no competencies or comprehensive training exclusively for pharmacists within a disaster context.

Turning the Heat Up on Admissions: The Impact of Extreme Heat Events on Hospital Admissions

Study/Objective The purpose of this study is to describe all potential roles pharmacists can undertake during disasters, across the four stages of disaster health management – Prevention, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery (PPRR), and identify the barriers to implementing these roles. Background The collapse of basic health care services fol- lowing a disaster is the highest cause of mortalities, with the inability to access medications being the main reason. Pharmacists are reported to be the most easily accessible health care professional and are the third largest health care provider after doctors and nurses. In disasters, many affected people seek the assistance of pharmacists fi rst before potentially being referred on to a doctor or hospital. Pharmacists are on the frontline of continuity of care. The traditional role pharmacists play in times of crisis is a logistical role, maintaining the medicines ’ supply chain from manufacturer to patient. Although this is an essential role during disasters, it is not utilising pharmacists ’ entire skill set and knowledge. Disaster research is beginning to identify potential roles pharmacists can fulfil during natural and manmade disasters.

Sustainable me – a pharmacist’s role in reducing the carbon footprint of healthcare delivery

Study/Objective This study aimed to investigate the impact of extreme heat events on the admissions to the Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH), Tasmania for the period January 2003 to December 2010. The objective of this study was to determine if extreme heat events lead to an increase in hospital admissions. Background Extreme heat events are increasing in frequency and duration and cause more deaths in Australia than any other extreme weather event. The total economic cost of extreme weather events in Australia each year is estimated at