Potential role of the community liaison pharmacist: stakeholder views

Abstract

Objective: To determine the views of stakeholders regarding a community liaison pharmacy (CLP) service and to obtain their opinion about the risk of medication misadventure for patients in the immediate post-discharge period. Setting: The study was conducted with medical practitioners, community nurses, community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, consumers and hospital administration from a division of general practice in Victoria, Australia. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted to address areas of: the discharge process, liaison between primary and secondary healthcare sectors and views of a CLP. A focus group was conducted with key informants from the interviews to explore the emergent themes. Key findings: Themes from 23 interviews and the focus group explored the difficulties experienced with the discharge process and communication at the primary and secondary interface. Participants discussed the types of problems that patients face after hospital discharge and those potentially at risk of medication misadventure. The role of a liaison pharmacist was defined and logistics of implementation of a CLP service and ameliorable barriers were identified. Information from the focus group was utilised to develop a medication misadventure risk assessment tool for patients returning to community care from hospital. Conclusion: Problems with the discharge process and communication at the primary and secondary interface often result in deficiencies in the continuum of care between hospital and the community. Most participants recognised the potential benefits of a CLP service that may bridge the gap in communications between the healthcare settings as well as educating and supporting some patients regarding their medications shortly following discharge from hospital. 2006 The Authors