Health Destination Pharmacy Trial – Case studies Health Destination Pharmacy Trial – Case studies | Page 23
The team in this pharmacy realised that they had all the
right elements in place to position themselves as a health
destination, but that they were not making best use of
the pharmacists they had in terms of engaging with
consumers and offering professional services.
Local focus also pays dividends for the team
An effective and successful presentation at a local
retirement village not only increased the profile of the
pharmacy within the local area, but the enthusiasm and
confidence of the early career pharmacist who conducted
the presentation. Plans are in place for the next major
collaborative health promotion in mental health; to be led
by one of the pharmacists who have now taken ownership
of these activities.
Coaching helped us change faster
The owner stated that the role of a mentor or coach
in suggesting methods for improved productivity and
prompting systems for staff was essential. Specific
assistance to prepare and get started with 5CPA
professional programs was also gratefully received.
“Having those visits [from the coach] was just fantastic. If we had to
go somewhere to meet with her then we would have because it was so
beneficial. [The advice] helped us reposition ourselves.”
Linkage between engagement and results
All staff gained a better understanding that professional
services, health promotion and sales of health products
are interlinked, and what activities drive success. For
example, increasing pharmacist contact with the
consumer often results in identifying opportunities to offer
further services and products, and they started to see this
on their bottom line.
CASE STUDY 5
KEY LEARNINGS
ABOUT THE HEALTH
DESTINATION PHARMACY
TRIAL
In 2012-13, as part of its commitment to building
capability in pharmacy and positioning the profession
for the future, PSA conducted a trial to test the feasibility
of a changed model of pharmacy practice in which
the pharmacist is repositioned as a primary healthcare
provider and the pharmacy as a healthcare destination.
The 14 participating pharmacies received assistance
to make changes to their business model to achieve
sustainable delivery of consumer-focuse d health
services, enhance the pharmacy’s image as a health care
destination, and improve its long-term viability. The trial
did not impose a “one size fits all” model, but focused
on building capacity and ensuring that the appropriate
infrastructure and resources were in place to allow change
to occur.
All elements were underpinned by a Foundations for
Change program, reflecting the evidence showing that
pharmacists and other primary health care providers
can benefit from targeted, on-site support to assist their
preparation for change and to build the capacity to
effectively integrate new professional programs over time.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
PSA offers its Pharmacy Support Program in every State
and Territory of Australia. For further information see
www.psa.org.au/supporting-practice/pharmacy-supportprogram
To register your interest contact:
Simon Carroll
Senior Professional Practice Pharmacist
P: 02 6283 4781
E: [email protected]
“Without the Trial it would’ve taken a lot longer to figure out what had
to happen and then to try and implement it, it would’ve taken…you
wouldn’t have seen any results before June next year.”
Over the course of the Trial, this pharmacy achieved
financial benefits that appear to be as a direct result of
their highly successful efforts to have their pharmacists
more engaged with consumers. They feel they can build
on this, as their professional services were really only just
taking off, and they have staff members allocated to lead
and champion change. Many plans are underway for
continuing to engage with their local community.
SOURCES
1. The Next Level (Australia) Pty Ltd.
2. Bruce Annabel, JR Pharmacy Services
Health Destination Pharmacy Trial – Case studies I © Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Ltd.
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