Research Supervisor Connect
Developing and testing the impact of pharmacist-led medication management review for people living with osteoporosis. The intervention uses a novel pathway to assist continuity of care - medical specialists working within re-fracture prevention clinics refer patients for a Home Medicines Review with two follow up reviews.
This exciting opportunity is part of an Australian Government funded clinical trial for patients living with osteoporosis and who have experienced a minimal trauma fracture. Our trial covers 7 sites throughout NSW and Victoria and the intervention is designed to reduce re-fracture risk by deprescribing sedative and anticholinergic medicines. A patient-centred empowerment model is planned in order to optimise the uptake of deprescribing recommendations. The student will receive research training in qualitative and quantitative methods to understand more about how patients can be supported by pharmacists to decrease the risk of re-fracture. The student may also develop skills in education development and evaluation
Osteoporosis (OP) is a chronic condition in which loss in bone strength leads to fragile bones. Individuals with OP who fall have a 100 times greater risk of fracture, and mortality is then increased for the 5-10 years following the fracture. Many refracture and the risk of refracture is increased by taking falls risk increasing drugs (FRIDS), mainly sedative and anticholinergic medicines.
This study intervention is designed to close the existing evidence gap by implementing a consumer-centred, pharmacy-led, collaborative, medicines review service aiming to reduce the burden of falls and re-fractures in the elderly. It trials the hypothesis that, a coordinated and integrated approach to providing comprehensive medication management services for consumers with OP and MTF, who are taking multiple medicines will result in decreased medication related falls risk.
We use a range of quantitative methods, to analyse actual real-time medication use, prescription records and dispensing records. We interrogate medication management reviews to determine the factors increasing uptake of deprescribing recommendations. We will develop and evaluate training packages for pharmacists. We also conduct interviews in focus groups and online.
A competitive 3-year scholarship (equivalent in value to Australian Government Research Training Program) is available for a student to work on the funded clinical trial. The program of research would suit health professionals, particularly pharmacists who have an interest in deprescribing and medication management reviews.
The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is 2991