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Background: Disasters affect health services, health professionals and the health of individuals. During disasters, pharmacists are essential in maintaining the health of their communities. Despite the important roles pharmacists undertake in disasters, little is known about their preparedness to respond to disasters that may affect their communities. Aim: To qualitatively explore the factors that affect Australian pharmacists’ preparedness for disasters. Methods: Semistructured interviews aimed at exploring disaster preparedness were conducted with 13 pharmacists in Australia. Participants were recruited using purposive, snowball, and convenience sampling methods. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Open and axial coding methods were used to determine the factors associated with preparedness. Ethical approval was obtained from Queensland University of Technology (no. 1700000626). Results: Almost half of the participants (46%) did not feel that they were prepared for a disaster likely to affect their primary place of practice. Two overarching themes contributing to participants’ preparedness were identified: ‘individual factors’ and ‘external factors’. Pharmacists believed that their preparedness was affected by the individual factors of experience, soft skills, knowledge and training. They also noted that external factors such as available resources, administrative support, multisector support and actions by supports were required for them to be prepared. Conclusion: This research is the first of its kind to explore the factors affecting pharmacists’ disaster preparedness. The results indicate that Australian pharmacists feel underprepared for disasters; however, improving this preparedness is complex and will require more than a single intervention. Interventions for improving preparedness need to target individual and environmental factors and involve the whole healthcare team.

Introduction: In a disaster aftermath, pharmacists have the potential to provide essential health services and contribute to the maintenance of the health and well-being of their community. Despite their importance in the health care system, little is known about the factors that affect pharmacists' disaster preparedness and associated behaviors. Study Objective: The goal of this study was to determine the factors that influence disaster preparedness behaviors and disaster preparedness of Australian pharmacists. Methods: A 70-question survey was developed from previous research findings. This survey was released online and registered Australian pharmacists were invited to participate. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the factors that influenced preparedness and preparedness behaviors among pharmacists. Results: The final model of disaster preparedness indicated that 86.0% of variation in preparedness was explained by disaster experience, perceived knowledge and skills, colleague preparedness, perceived self-efficacy, previous preparedness behaviors, perceived potential disaster severity, and trust of external information sources. The final model of preparedness behaviors indicated that 71.1% of variation in previous preparedness behaviors can be explained by disaster experience, perceived institution responsibility, colleague preparedness, perceived likelihood of disaster, perceived professional responsibility, and years of practice as a pharmacist. Conclusion: This research is the first to explore the significant factors affecting preparedness behaviors and preparedness of Australian pharmacists for disasters. It begins to provide insight into potential critical gaps in current disaster preparedness behaviors and preparedness among pharmacists.

Introduction: Human-induced climate change is increasing the likelihood and severity of wildfires across the globe. This has negative consequences for the health of affected communities through the loss of health systems’ infrastructure and disrupted health services. Community pharmacies are a central hub between patients and the health care system and can provide continuity of care during wildfires. However, there is little in peer-reviewed literature about the impacts of wildfires on community pharmacy operations. Study Objective: The aim of this study was therefore to explore the impacts of the 2018/2019 summer bushfires in Tasmania, Australia on community pharmacy operations in affected areas. Methods: Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with four community pharmacists who were working in the affected region during the bushfires. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative data were analyzed using two methods– manual coding utilizing NVivo software and Leximancer analysis. Inter-rater reliability was ensured by two researchers analyzing the data independently. Differences in coding were discussed and agreement reached through negotiation amongst the research team. Results: From the manual coding analysis, five key themes emerged – communication and collaboration; support; patient health challenges; pharmacist experiences in delivering health care; and future planning. These aligned with the five themes that emerged from the Leximancer analysis – community; local; town; patients; and work. Participants described working during the wildfires as difficult, with multiple challenges reported including communication difficulties, operational barriers such as power cuts, legislative barriers, logistical issues with obtaining and storing medication supplies, and lack of preparation, support, and funding. They highlighted a lack of operational and financial sup

This thesis investigated the preparedness of Australian pharmacists to respond to disasters affecting their local community. This research demonstrated that preparedness of pharmacists is complex, being made up of a multitude of internal factors including beliefs, experiences, knowledge, as well as external factors such as resources, and their professional environment. A new definition of disaster preparedness for pharmacists, and a concept map of preparedness were formulated as a result of this research. This research is a step forward in developing better resources and interventions to prepare the Australian pharmacy workforce for disasters.

Background: During disasters health services and community health can be compromised. To ensure continuation of services and minimise negative health outcomes it is critical that health professionals are prepared for disasters. Despite the important role that pharmacists play within the healthcare team, little is known about their preparedness to respond to disasters and the factors that affect their preparedness. Aim: Systematic Review of peer reviewed publications that measured pharmacists’ and pharmacy students’ preparedness for disasters. Methods: This review was conducted in January 2018 through databases CINAHL, MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and PsycInfo using keywords ‘pharmacist’, ‘disaster’, and ‘prepared’. This search yielded an initial 1707 titles. After revision of inclusion criteria and quality appraisal only 3 articles were included in final analysis and review. Due to variations in methodology a meta-analysis of data was not possible. Articles were analysed for key themes and findings. Results: Two articles focused on pharmacy students and one on registered pharmacists. Most students self-rated themselves as ‘negatively’ or ‘neutrally’ prepared for a disaster. For pharmacists 82% were not prepared for a disaster. Factors that influence preparedness include willingness to respond, previous training, and knowledge of disaster event. Conclusion: There is little research available on pharmacists’ preparedness for disasters. From the research available, pharmacist preparedness to respond to disasters appears to be poor. By better understanding pharmacist preparedness, gaps in pharmacy practice can be addressed, leading to a more robust pharmacy workforce able to contribute to health response in disasters and emergencies.

Background: During disasters local communities are the first to respond, often working for days before reinforcements from outside agencies can arrive. Despite pharmacists’ essential role in the everyday healthcare team, they are underutilised in disaster planning and response. Little is known about how prepared pharmacists are for disasters and what factors influence their preparedness. Aim: To explore Australian pharmacists’ current preparedness for disasters that may affect their local communities and the factors that influence their preparedness. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 Australian pharmacists. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded using open and axial coding techniques and analysed for themes. Results: Participants self-rated their preparedness as low. Current preparedness was influenced by a variety of factors including experience, available resources, and current knowledge. Participants identified a variety of interventions that may improve their preparedness including training and the need for support from employers and professional pharmacy organisations. Conclusion: Australian pharmacists’ self-reported preparedness is low and influenced by a variety of factors. Low levels of preparedness may impact willingness to respond to a disaster, resulting in reduced pharmacy workforce and critical healthcare gaps. Understanding of pharmacists’ perceived preparedness is essential to improve education and resources for improving pharmacists’ preparedness for disaster response. This initial exploration of pharmacist preparedness has led to the development and release of a survey that will further assess and explore pharmacist preparedness.

Introduction: No country or community is immune from the potential threat of a pandemic influenza outbreak. Being prepared, planning, and ensuring plans are in line with the latest health workforce activities is essential to reduce the impact associated with an outbreak. Pharmacists provide essential health services to the public and are one of the most accessible health professionals in Australia. How pharmacists are incorporated into pandemic influenza planning and gaps in their utilisation is unknown. Objectives: To determine how Australian State and Territory health departments currently plan to utilise pharmacists during a pandemic influenza outbreak. Material and methods: Conversations with key stakeholders and industry experts highlighted five roles suitable for pharmacists during a pandemic outbreak. These included antiviral distribution, vaccination, surveillance activities, ‘absence from work’ certificates, and emergency medication supply. Australian State and Territory pandemic plans were reviewed for the presence of these five critical pharmacist roles. The pandemic plan for the Australian Capital Territory is not publicly available and was not included in this review. Results: Most pandemic plans included pharmacists' roles in antiviral distribution (5/7, 71.4%), this was followed by vaccination administration (3/7, 42.9%), with surveillance activities and absence from work certificates being mentioned in one pandemic plan each (14.3%). Issuing of emergency medication supply was not included in any state or territory pandemic plans. Conclusions: Pharmacists are underutilised in current pandemic planning and response as outlined in state and territory pandemic plans. It is essential that planning efficiently utilises resources and personnel to their full potential to improve pandemic response and outcomes. Pharmacists are the third most common health professional in Australia, they are highly accessible, highly trained

Background: The World Health Organisation and International Pharmaceutical Federation agree that interprofessional education and collaboration leads to a practice-ready workforce and strengthens healthcare systems[1]. While there is a plethora of ways in which educators aim to provide interprofessional education and encourage collaborative practice, creating content that engages students can be challenging. Disaster response requires a robust understanding of health systems, interprofessional collaboration and practice. Utilising a disaster response could improve student engagement, understanding, and perceptions of interprofessional collaborative practice. Purpose: To investigate first-year undergraduate students’ understanding and perceptions of interprofessional collaborative practice following a disaster scenario tabletop exercise. Method: Students enrolled in a first year undergraduate interprofessional subject were invited to participate in pre-post surveys of their participation in a disaster scenario tabletop exercise conducted in workshops. Student participants were from health disciplines of paramedicine, pharmacy, podiatry, and medical radiation sciences. Students were divided into interprofessional teams and presented with a hypothetical disaster scenario for team discussion and response. Results: In the pre-workshop survey, students had a limited understanding of collaborative practice and its importance in everyday practice. In the post-workshop survey, there was an increase in understanding and perceptions of interprofessional collaboration and practice. Conclusion: This novel teaching activity was well received by health students and raised awareness of the heightened need for interprofessional collaborative practice during real world disaster responses. References: [1] International Pharmaceutical Federation, "Interprofessional education in a pharmacy context: global report," International Pharmaceutical Fed

Kafirin microparticles have potential as colon-targeted delivery systems because of their ability to protect encapsulated material from digestive processes of the upper gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The aim was to optimize prednisolone loading into kafirin microparticles, and investigate their potential as an oral delivery system. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to predict the optimal formulation of prednisolone loaded microparticles. Prednisolone release from the microparticles was measured in simulated conditions of the GIT. The RSM models were inadequate for predicting the relationship between starting quantities of kafirin and prednisolone, and prednisolone loading into microparticles. Compared to prednisolone released in the simulated gastric and small intestinal conditions, no additional drug release was observed in simulated colonic conditions. Hence, more insight into factors affecting drug loading into kafirin microparticles is required to improve the robustness of the RSM model. This present method of formulating prednisolone-loaded kafirin microparticles is unlikely to offer clinical benefits over commercially available dosage forms. Nevertheless, the overall amount of prednisolone released from the kafirin microparticles in conditions simulating the human GIT demonstrates their ability to prevent the release of entrapped core material. Further work developing the formulation methods may result in a delivery system that targets the lower GIT.

Introduction. During disasters local communities are the first to respond, often working for days before reinforcements from outside agencies can arrive. Health professionals provide essential roles and services during these events. Despite the important role pharmacists play within the healthcare team, their preparedness to respond to disasters is unknown. Additionally, little is known about what supports pharmacists need to feel more prepared to respond to a disaster. Aims. To determine how prepared Australian pharmacists feel to fulfil roles in local disasters and what supports they require to become more prepared. Methods. A collection of semi-structured interviews led to the development of a mixed-methods survey. This survey will be launched at APSA-ASCEPT 2017 with registered pharmacists invited to participate. Contributors will be asked to self-assess their preparedness for playing a variety of roles that may affect their local community in a disaster. Additionally, this project will explore how pharmacists believe they could improve their preparedness, or how they could be supported in disasters. Results. Results from this survey will feed into a larger research project examining disaster preparedness for pharmacists. The main objective of this research project is to determine how pharmacists can be better prepared to fulfil roles in disasters in Australia. Potential outcomes include competency development, legislative change, and/or short training courses for pharmacists. Discussion. Pharmacists are essential health professionals during disasters. Unfortunately, little is known about how prepared pharmacists feel to assist in disasters and how they can be supported to play a role. The ultimate goal of this research is to improve local preparedness and professional resilience in Australian disasters and emergencies.

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.

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.

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