Team Care Coordination welcome UQ Pharmacy students

Brisbane North PHN's Team Care Coordination program is excited to welcome two Pharmacy students from the University of Queensland (UQ) to conduct a research project as part of their work experience placement, examining quality use of medicines (QUM) and Home Medicines Reviews (HMR) with TCC clients.

QUM is a critical aspect of healthcare focused on ensuring that medicines are used safely, effectively, and appropriately. This involves selecting the correct medicines, monitoring their use, and ensuring patients adhere to prescribed therapies. The importance of QUM cannot be overstated, as it directly impacts patient outcomes, reduces adverse drug events, and promotes overall public health.

We are very excited to welcome Rania and Judy to TCC who have hit the ground running with their research project and are working closely with the teams to meet both their placement requirements and improve quality outcomes for TCC clients.

In primary care settings, QUM is implemented through various strategies, including patient education, medication reviews, and collaborative care models. One effective method of ensuring QUM is through Home Medicines Review (HMR). HMRs are comprehensive assessments conducted by pharmacists in patients' homes to identify and resolve medication-related issues. This approach not only enhances patient safety but also empowers patients to manage their medications better.

This research project aims to delve into the intricacies of QUM and HMRs by reviewing TCC clients over the past six to 12 months who required medication support and/or medication review as indicated in their assessments. The project involves a thorough review of client notes and some follow-up phone calls with clients to gather qualitative and quantitative data. This data collection process is crucial for understanding the barriers and enablers of effective HMRs.

By collating and analysing the data, we aim to identify common challenges and success factors in conducting HMRs. These insights will inform the development of a decision-making tool and a client resource, designed to assist the TCC clinical nurses in making informed recommendations for HMRs. The tool and resource will provide clear guidelines and practical advice, making the referral process more streamlined and effective.

We are excited to welcome Rania and Judy (pictured below centre with Leisa Creed | Team Leader TCC, Angela Smith | Medication Safety Lead and Kym Strachan | Manager TCC) to the PHN, and we are looking forward to working with them both on this important research task.

Our ultimate goal is to enhance QUM in primary care, ensuring that patients receive optimal medication support and improve their health outcomes. With these efforts, we aim to contribute to a safer, more effective healthcare system.