3 May 2007

The National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) is partnering with the National Health  and Medical Research Council to offer a NICS* Fellowship for a future leader in the uptake of evidence in the Quality Use of Medicines (QUM).

QUM means selecting management options wisely, choosing suitable medicines if a medicine is considered necessary, and using medicines safely and effectively.

The successful NICS-NPS Quality Use of Medicines Fellow will have the opportunity to undertake a project that improves medicines use by implementing proven strategies and using QUM principles. The Fellow will also develop the knowledge, skills and networks to become a leader in overcoming implementation gaps for QUM.

NPS CEO Lynn Weekes said “This is a unique opportunity for a health professional to gain valuable experience and to acquire the skills required in developing interventions that transform evidence into clinical practice for the Quality Use of Medicines.”

The overall purpose of the Fellowship is to provide the opportunity for future health care leaders in the area of QUM to acquire knowledge and skills that will assist them in:

• improving use of evidence-based practice in Australia, and

• contributing to international knowledge about effective change strategies for improving uptake of evidence in clinical practice.

The two-year, half-time Fellowship, commencing in 2008, is being offered to eligible health professionals and provides an opportunity to network and train with national and international evidence implementation experts.

Prospective applicants can obtain information on the NICS-NPS Fellowship, view the  eligibility criteria and apply at www.nhmrc.gov.au/nics. Information sessions about the Fellowship will be held in late May 2007 with applications closing at 5.00pm on Monday 9 July 2007.

* NICS (the National Institute of Clinical Studies) is an institute of the National Health and Medical Research Council, and works to improve health care by getting health and medical research into practice.

ENDS

National Prescribing Service is an independent, non-profit organisation for Quality Use of Medicines funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.