University research boost
October 19, 2011
GRIFFITH University is hoping to
increase the role community
pharmacy plays in working with
Australians living with a mental
health condition, with a new three
year research project.
Funded by the Australian
Government Department of Health
and Ageing as part of the Fifth
Community Pharmacy Agreement
Research and Development
Program, the research will explore
the specific medication needs of
mental health consumers.
The spotlight will also fall on
consumer expectations and
experiences of community
pharmacies, as well as the
partnerships between patients,
carers and pharmacists.
Led by Associate Professor
Amanda Wheeler from the School
of Human Services and Social Work,
the research team brings a diverse
range and depth of multidisciplinary
experience to the project including
mental health, pharmacy practice,
and behavioural change experts,
who will work closely with
consumers and carers as key
informants, educators and research
participants.
“The research will aim to help
mental health consumers better
manage their medication and to
potentially capitalise on consumer
opinion that has described the
community pharmacy as a more
relaxed environment where
information about treatment and
other services can be discussed,”
said Wheeler.
Around 500 mental health
consumers, carers and industry
leaders from Qld, NSW and WA will
be involved during the first stage of
the project, as well as 300
community pharmacies.
The information gained from the
first stage of the project will be
used to develop and implement an
online educational package for
pharmacy staff.
The second stage of the project
will see mental health consumers
re-interviewed about their
experiences of the newly-trained
pharmacy staff and the support on
offer; whilst the third stage will
involve 1,000 mental health
consumers who struggle with
medication and 100 pharmacies
and will see the development of a
collaborative strategy which will
signal a nationwide implementation
of the plan as guided by the
Pharmacy Guild of Australia.
For more information phone
1800 600 687 or email
mentalhealth@griffith.edu.au.
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