Supporting rural practitioners: pharmacy-based support mechanisms for drug misuse in rural and remote communities

This program was designed to develop a community pharmacy-based method for pharmacists to provide the first link in a collaborative care approach to drug misuse. Participating pharmacists were trained in basic counselling skills. They were also put in contact with regional experts in drug and alcohol services in their practice areas.

The pharmacists’ enhanced skills in initial identification and basic counselling enabled them to feel more confident working with people with drug misuse issues. The facilitated access to regional specialist assistance for patients with drug misuse issues ensured appropriate expertise was made available to rural patients in need of treatment. The establishment of a collaborative care approach using the skills of community pharmacists linked to specialised care services was recognised as the basis of an effective intervention program. This pilot approach has wider application in both rural and urban areas.

This project was funded by the Department of Health and Ageing via the Pharmacy Guild of Australia Rural Pharmacy Workforce Program Small Projects Scheme.

For more information, please contact UMORE.