IMPROVING Australia's My Health Record (MHR) to enable pharmacists to upload findings from medication reviews could boost their role in palliative care, research reveals.
A study from Flinders University, published in Healthcare - Medication Management, found community pharmacists often worked remotely from the healthcare team looking after terminally ill patients.
The authors noted that "pharmacists were able to identify specific care needs associated with approaching end of life, as well as indicators for predicting medication misadventure".
"In addition, pharmacists were able to identify people with palliative care needs," they said.
However, the authors found that current restrictions preventing pharmacists from sharing their advice through patients' MHRs limited their ability to influence decisions around medication management and changes in treatment.
Ensuring pharmacists are involved in palliative care could also help them to better manage medication supplies.
"Improving the MHR to allow for pharmacists to contribute more than simply dispensing data would assist in this information being available to all prescribers and pharmacists caring for the individual," they said.
"The role of the pharmacist in Australia is diverse.
"They provide a variety of services for people with palliative needs as well as their carers.
"Engaging with the pharmacist early in the palliative trajectory of the patient is important.
"Organisations must develop systems that embed pharmacists or pharmacy services in usual patient care processes."
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 04 May 21
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 04 May 21
