An Insight into their Integration into Australian Community Pharmacies

Background: Nurse practitioners (NPs) are independent health professionals with prescribing rights. Since 2008 in Australia, NPs have established primary care roles, yet evidence of this model of care has not been published to date. Objective: To explore the integration of NPs into community pharmacies and their reported impact on the provision of pharmacy services. Methods: The study comprised semi-structured interviews with 28 staff of all 9 community pharmacies operating the Revive Clinic Nurse Practitioner service in Western Australia, Australia, between August and September 2011. Interviewees comprised NPs representing 6 practices and pharmacy staff of all 9 practices. Interviews explored the NPs ’ scope of practice, provision of pharmacy services, interactions within the pharmacy and operational aspects of the NP clinic. Data are descriptively reported. Results: The NPs undertook a range of services, including medication prescribing according to clinical guidelines, provision and ordering of diagnostic services, vaccine administration and provision of medical certificates. Community pharmacists claimed to continue ensuring the safe and quality use of medicines and to counsel clients. Both pharmacists and NPs potentially provided consumer medicine information leaflets. The key collaboration between the NP and pharmacy staff involved referral to the NP if within their scope of practice. NPs also wrote prescriptions for Pharmacist Only (S3) Medicines. Clinical guidelines and resources used by the NPs were similar to those for pharmacists. 2 Conclusions: NPs ’ primary healthcare services can complement roles of community pharmacists. Potential exists for further collaboration and interdisciplinary care in health promotion and screening services. Clarification is needed with respect to prescribing and provision of Pharmacist Only Medicines, and provision of consumer medicines leaflets