1. Improving community access to terminal phase medicines in Australia: identification of the key considerations for the implementation of a 'core medicines list'
- Author
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Michael D. Wiese, Kirsten Staff, Weng Hou Cheung, Paul A Tait, Tait, Paul A, Cheung, Weng Hou, Wiese, Michael, and Staff, Kirsten
- Subjects
Palliative care ,Prescription Drugs ,Attitude of Health Personnel ,Health Personnel ,education ,medicines list ,Population health ,Community Pharmacy Services ,Pharmacists ,terminal phase medicines ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Nursing ,030502 gerontology ,Health care ,South Australia ,Medicine ,Humans ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Clinical governance ,Terminal Care ,Health economics ,business.industry ,Health Policy ,Palliative Care ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Australia ,Caregiver burden ,Focus Groups ,Focus group ,Caregivers ,Community health ,Housing ,Clinical Competence ,Safety ,0305 other medical science ,business - Abstract
During the terminal phase, access to medicines is critical for people wishing to spend their last days of life at home. Yet, access to medicines can be problematic. The aim of this study was to report the perspectives of specialist and generalist health professionals (HPs) on the issues of community access to medicines for this vulnerable group. A qualitative descriptive study design investigated the views of HPs working in palliative care roles in South Australia. Nurses, doctors and pharmacists described their experiences of accessing medicines for management of terminal phase symptoms during semi-structured focus group discussions. Content analysis identified six themes including: 'Medication Supply', 'Education and Training', 'Caregiver Burden', 'Safety', 'Funding' and 'Clinical Governance'. Future projects should aim to address these themes when developing strategies for the management of people wishing to die at home. Refereed/Peer-reviewed
- Published
- 2016