Study supports onsite pharmacist rollout
Regional, rural and remote homes strongly encouraged to apply with all participants receiving access to resources to help successfully embed an aged care pharmacist.
University of Canberra researchers are seeking aged care homes accessing the government-funded onsite pharmacist program for a new study.
Funding has been available since 1 July this year for providers and community pharmacies to employ aged care onsite pharmacists – or ACOPS – to work in residential care homes.
The research team at UC’s Health Research Institute is investigating the adaptation and implementation in urban, regional, rural, and remote areas of an onsite pharmacist model already tested in aged care homes in the Australian Capital Territory.
Australia is a diverse country, and each aged care home has unique challenges and assets that set it apart, said HRI research project manager Dr Jennifer Sonter.
“The project has shown the wide-reaching benefits of this model to supporting homes, the resident community and the ACOP with improvements in medication management, clinical governance, staff education, and potential hospital avoidance,” Dr Sonter told Australian Ageing Agenda.
“We want to see the regional adaptations of this model – how it differs between urban, regional, rural, and remotely located residential aged care homes,” she said.
“Aged care homes who take part in our study will get access to resources and support that will help them successfully implement an Aged Care Onsite Pharmacist in their team.”
This includes:
- resources for education, training, and implementation
- financial incentives
- role development to assist with meeting national accreditation and safety standards
- support for integrating the pharmacist into the multidisciplinary care team
- ongoing support.
The Onsite Pharmacist Implementation Trial in Residential Aged Care Homes in Urban, Regional, Rural and Remote (OPTIMISER3) Australia study is open to homes who have engaged a pharmacist to start as an ACOP with government funding.
Those interested homes should express their interest by 6 December.
Aged care homes in regional, rural, and remote areas are strongly encouraged to apply, said Dr Sonter.
“The study team is happy to meet with interested residential aged care homes to discuss how you can get involved.”
Email racfstudy@canberra.edu.au or telephone (02) 6201 2930 for more information.
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