26 October 2007

Building on past successes in influencing prescribing behaviour, the National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) has embarked on three projects that will extend its work to new and emerging Health Professional groups with prescribing responsibilities.

Addressing Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) information and education needs for international medical graduates, nurse practitioners and GP registrars, NPS is working with partner organisations to design and implement tailored programs.

“The principals of QUM to achieve positive health outcomes and improve well-being are just as relevant to new as they are to experienced prescribers,” said Dr Lynn Weekes, NPS CEO.

NPS uses a number of strategies to influence the use of medicines in Australia. These include the provision of written drug information; prescribing pattern analysis and feedback; clinical audit and case studies; academic detailing; and peer group discussion with scenarios and data.

“NPS strategies have been successful in influencing prescribing behaviour but it is important that we continue to broaden our reach to all health professionals who would benefit from our programs and activities” said Dr Weekes.

NPS will work with Charles Darwin University, Australian Nurse Practitioner Association, NT Government Department of Health and Community Services and Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council on the Nurse practitioners project.

For the GP registrars and International Medical Graduates programs, NPS will work with the Centre for Innovation in Professional Health Education Research and the Townsville Division of General Practice.

The first stage of these three programs will be to undertake a needs analysis in relation to prescribing and QUM issues.

ENDS