In the USA in areas probably not as remote, pharmacists have been part of the team as pharmacists are in all other health systems. Pharmacists within the US’s Indian Health Service (IHS) have seen about 15% of all primary healthcare interactions including independent prescribing since 1996 along with many other roles.
In 2005 I started work on a project putting a pharmacist out bush with a remote health service as part of the team. Despite having the same skills pharmacists in Australia are usually not identified as playing some of the roles as occurs in the IHS. This may be part of the reason I am still the only pharmacist in Australia working in this type of role.
The first year was a project supervised by the Centre for Remote Health. Contact me here if you wish a copy of the report. This review of the project identified the needs for support and extra education to prepare for the role. It was thought the Graduate Certificate in Remote Health Practice (Individual practice) then being developed at the Centre for Remote Health could be adapted.
And after a lot of work by Fran Vaughan the Graduate Certificate in Remote Health Practice – Remote Pharmacy Practice will commence this year with several of the topics presented to multi-disciplinary groups.
Download (PDF, 202.02KB)
As I suggested it I had better do it. But apparently I may be also lecturing on it. It should be interesting!
The course is suitable for any pharmacist involved with aboriginal health services whether it be a visiting S100 or QUMAX pharmacists as well as those wanting to work remote.
Tagged as:
Centre for Remote Health,
CRH,
Pharmacy,
remote,
remote health practice
