Australian Pharmacists' Perceptions and Practices in Travel Health.
Ian M Heslop1, Richard Speare2, Michelle Bellingan3
1Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia. ian.heslop@jcu.edu.au.
Pharmacy (Basel, Switzerland)
|August 24, 2018
Summary
Australian pharmacists are keen to expand travel health services, but face barriers like workload and training needs. Current services are limited, with pharmacists primarily offering advice and referrals.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacy Practice
- Travel Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Pharmacists globally are increasingly involved in travel health.
- The scope of practice for pharmacists in travel health varies significantly by country due to legislation and funding.
- In Australia, the specific role and potential of pharmacists in travel health require exploration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the current and future practices of Australian pharmacists in travel health.
- To identify perceived barriers, including training requirements, to providing enhanced travel health services.
- To understand the demand for travel health advice and services from Australian pharmacies.
Main Methods:
- A survey was distributed to a representative sample of Australian pharmacists.
- Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the survey responses.
- Data was collected from 255 participants regarding their current practices and perceived needs.
Main Results:
- Over two-thirds (68%) of surveyed pharmacists provide some travel-related advice, but at a low frequency (less than 2 travellers/week).
- Current roles include advising travellers, reinforcing other practitioners' advice, and referring for vaccinations and antimalarials.
- Pharmacists are unable to administer travel vaccines or prescription medications without a prescription but see travel health as an appropriate role.
Conclusions:
- Australian pharmacists are motivated to expand their role in travel health.
- Significant barriers, including workload, time constraints, staffing, and a need for specific training, must be addressed.
- Developing these services further is necessary for Australian pharmacies to match international standards and meet client demand.
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