File(s) under permanent embargo
Funding pharmacists in general practice: a feasibility study to inform the design of future economic evaluations
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-20, 18:30 authored by Kosari, S, Deeks, LS, Naunton, M, Dawda, P, Postma, MJ, Tay, GH, Gregory PetersonGregory PetersonBackground Funding is a significant barrier to employing general practice pharmacists. Objective(s) To explore the feasibility of determining the cost-benefit of pharmacists in Australian general practice. Methods Two part-time pharmacists were employed by general practices in Canberra, Australia. Diaries of the pharmacists were analysed to determine time worked and participation in income-generating activities, including Government-funded programs: Asthma Cycle of Care, Home Medicine Reviews, and Health Care Assessments. Scenarios using different practice and business models were entered into value-cost models to determine the income generated by the pharmacists relative to their salary. Results Over 19 weeks, pharmacists A and B supported 47 and 23 Asthma Cycle of Care activities, generating income to the general practice of AU$4,700 and AU$2,300, respectively. The pharmacists spent 36.4 and 24.1 hours on activities usually conducted by general practitioners (GPs), allowing additional time for GP-patient consultations. Value-cost models determined AU$0.61 - AU$1.20 income generation by pharmacists per AU$1 salary. Conclusions It was feasible to determine the value-cost ratios of employing pharmacists in general practice using these methods. Future work should focus on developing a robust business model that includes health care system savings resulting from practice pharmacist interventions, determined from randomised controlled trials.
History
Publication title
Research in Social and Administrative PharmacyVolume
17Issue
5Pagination
1012-1016ISSN
1551-7411Department/School
School of Pharmacy and PharmacologyPublisher
Elsevier Inc.Place of publication
United StatesRights statement
Copyright 2020 ElsevierRepository Status
- Restricted