Hospital pharmacy services supporting Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia: a systematic review

Abstract

AimTo systematically review the literature to investigate the role of the hospital pharmacist and the services provided for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.MethodsA systematic literature review was performed following a search from inception to present of MEDLINE, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (IPA), EMBASE, Scopus and Pubmed, in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. All forms of published literature were included. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and hospital pharmacists/pharmacy department services in Australia were the populations included.Results1592 studies were identified. After removal of duplicates and application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 16 papers underwent full text review, with 7 papers included in the final review. No high‐level evidence articles were found. Joanna Briggs Institute Levels of Evidence for meaningfulness were low. Settings were varied and included rural, remote and urban sites. Five articles were allocated a Donabedian Model level where the structure was described. Two papers described structure and process. None described outcomes. Hospital pharmacy services included development of models for patient care, partnerships and resource sharing in rural and remote areas and ensuring continuity of care. ConclusionSystematic review of the literature to determine the role of hospital pharmacy services for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people produced limited publications for review. From these, roles identified included: development of models for patient care, partnerships and resource sharing in rural and remote areas and ensuring continuity of care. Future research and publication of work by hospital pharmacists nurturing and developing relationships in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is encouraged.

Connecting the dots of care: survey of Australian hospital pharmacy departments regarding current initiatives in place to care for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander inpatients

“…This study describes the current hospital pharmacy services for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people which were not found in the published literature. 4 More than 60% of those surveyed had specific processes under the described key themes, but this does not indicate the level of quality or impact of such services. -One site has developed a leaflet on CTG to give people to discuss with their GP post discharge -Amended medication list with sun/moon adjustments -Hospital funded CTG medication program leaflet (Geewan program)…”

“…The online survey questions were developed based on the existing systematic literature review. 4 The survey tool was reviewed for content validity by expert stakeholders (three Directors and two pharmacists); no data were recorded. After minor wording changes were made, the survey was administered.…”

“…A recent literature review found seven publications describing the role hospital pharmacists play in the care of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. 4 Authors encouraged future research by hospital pharmacists nurturing and developing relationships in Box 2 Australian medication funding systems at the time of study In Australia, funding of medications on discharge from hospital in most states and territories is provided by the Commonwealth Government under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). The quantity of medications supplied is as per the PBS quantities, often at least one month.…”

“…The terminology which refers to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people (the Indigenous people of Australia) will be used throughout this paper except when quoting from resources which have used other terminology." 4 partnership with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities. 4 We hypothesise that hospital pharmacy services for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people have been implemented at sites, however reports may not have been published.…”

“…4 partnership with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities. 4 We hypothesise that hospital pharmacy services for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people have been implemented at sites, however reports may not have been published. The aim of this study was to determine the roles of, and specific services provided by, Australian Hospital pharmacists/ Pharmacy Departments in providing medicine management services to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people admitted to Australian hospitals.…”