Year: 2024
Type: conference-paper
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Access to injectable medicines in the community is crucial for people wishing to die at home. Previous surveys in South Australia in 2012 demonstrated only 6% of pharmacies were able to facilitate medication provision to support dying at home. Following SA State Government funding in 2023 for 30 community pharmacies across SA to stock vital medications to support terminal phase symptom management in the community, we undertook a follow up survey to assess if there had been an improvement in the number of pharmacies who stock medications for symptom management at end of life. An electronic survey was sent to all 499 registered pharmacies in South Australia via email with reminder follow up emails on 2 occasions. Data included postcode location which enabled an understanding of Socioeconomic Indexes for Area (SEIFA) quintiles of the respondents. The survey asked about medications held to provide symptom management for commonly encountered end of life symptoms. The ‘preparedness score’ (Range 0–5) was calculated as 1 point for each medicine held. Ethics approval was provided by SA DHW HREC. Despite a low response rate of 41/499 pharmacies (8.2%), the respondents represented the distribution across SEIFA quintiles, and metropolitan and rural locations. While 23/41 (56%) held a valuable range of formulations, 12 (29%) stocked no medications to manage end of life medications. The 23 pharmacies with a preparedness score of 5 were in regional SA, higher sociodemographic regions, were linked with a Residential Aged Care facility and were aware of patients with palliative care needs in their area. Whilst the response rate was poor, it appears that when compared to 2012, there has been an improvement in the number of pharmacies holding critical medications for end-of-life care at home. Strategies to improve the engagement of community pharmacies to stock medications used for end-of-life care is important. A 3-way co-operation between the pharmacist, General Practitioner and Specialist Palliative Care services would seem to be a good starting point by raising the awareness of potential patients to ensure stock is on hand. Strengthening these partnerships will help to care for people at home, and potentially reduce the impact on the acute care hospital sector. Further governmental support is critical to ensure policies and funding are directed to improving the care for people with life limiting illness to remain at home for end-of-life care if that is their preference.
Source: Oral Presentations
Authors: Peter Allcroft, Paul Tait, Michaela DelCampo
Institution: Central Adelaide Local Health Network
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4402325411