Pharmacist integration into general practice in New Zealand

Abstract

IntroductionPharmacist integration into general practice is gaining momentum internationally, with benefits noted in reducing medication errors, improving chronic disease management and alleviating general practitioner workforce shortages. Little is known about how general practice pharmacists are working in New Zealand. AimThis study characterised the current landscape of pharmacist integration into general practice in New Zealand. MethodsAn online questionnaire was developed, piloted and distributed to all pharmacists in New Zealand. ResultsThirty-six responses were analysed. Respondents were more likely to be female, have been pharmacists for at least 10 years and all but one held formal postgraduate clinical pharmacy qualifications. Seven pharmacists were working as pharmacist prescribers. Primary health organisations (PHOs) were the most common employer, with funding primarily derived from either PHOs or District Health Boards. Pharmacist integration into general practice appears to have progressed further in particular regions of New Zealand, with most respondents located in the North Island. Tasks performed by respondents included medication reviews, managing long-term conditions and medicines reconciliation. Increased job satisfaction compared with previous roles was reported by most respondents. Funding and a general lack of awareness about pharmacists’ professional scope were seen as barriers to further expansion of the role. DiscussionThis study describes the characteristics of pharmacists currently working in general practices in New Zealand and provides insights into key requirements for the role. Understanding the way practice pharmacists are currently employed and funded can inform general practices considering employing pharmacists.

Evaluating the role and integration of general practice pharmacists in England: a cross-sectional study

“…On the contrary, supportive practice and the presence of an experienced pharmacist in the workplace were identified as facilitators to integration into GP. Besides England [17], similar findings have also been reported by other studies involving different international healthcare systems including Canada [37,39], Australia [14] and New Zealand [40]. A number of policies has been introduced recently in the UK and not just in England to expand the current involvement of clinical pharmacists in general practice [18,34,41].…”

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“…With the expansion of pharmacists’ roles, pharmacists have been included in primary healthcare teams to provide collaborative patient care in many countries. The co-location of pharmacists within primary healthcare teams has been studied in the United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK), Canada, Australia, The Netherlands, Ireland, Brazil, New Zealand, and Malaysia [ 1 – 8 ]. Studies from the USA, UK, and Canada have reported that the inclusion of pharmacists into primary healthcare teams has improved patients’ health outcomes and benefited patients in other ways [ 9 – 11 ].…”

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