Completed Research Project
Investigating the role of Community pharmacists in advising patients with lower bowel cancer symptoms.
Investigators: Jiwa M, Sargant, S.
Funding: WA Cancer & Palliative Care Network Tumour Collaborative Grants, ($60,000).
Administering institution: Curtin University
More than 52,000 Western Australians are currently living with some form of cancer and about 20% of those live in the country. Medical research shows that people diagnosed with cancer who live in remote areas are 35% to 300% more likely to die within the ensuing five years than cancer patients who live close to health services. The health seeking behaviour of symptomatic patients includes purchasing over the counter medication at community pharmacies. This practice may be inappropriate and some patients may defer a consultation with a medical practitioner to the point where the prognosis is adversely affected especially in the case of cancer symptoms1. However the logistics and the practice of offering unsolicited advice associated with the sale of medicines is contentious. With the current programme of deregulation of medicines, this is an increasingly important issue. At the same time it has been suggested that the Australian health care system needs to encompass new models of care, new approaches to workforce, new funding and remuneration systems.
This three-part study explores organisation and linkages within the Primary Health Care Sector. We will specifically explore the prospect of ‘role innovation’ and ‘role enhancement’. We will investigate the possibility of community pharmacists providing appropriate advice to patients presenting with recognised and important symptoms in primary care especially in rural areas where access to medical practitioners may be hampered by a shortage of medical manpower. The scope of the project includes an exploration of the scope for service innovation and how it can be achieved with reference to the key stakeholders. The qualitative data will be analysed using the framework approach, which is specifically designed for health policy research. We will identify and explore the perceived barriers and facilitators that pertain to expanding the role of community pharmacists in advising patients presenting with symptoms that may potentially indicate life threatening illness.
