21 August 2007

Critical appraisal skills, Aboriginal health and accessing evidence-based information were just a few of the stimulating and challenging topics covered at the annual National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) Facilitators’ Forum held in Sydney this month.

Representing every Australian state and territory, the two-day event attracted around 150 delegates, who were inspired by this year’s theme of ‘Identity and Independence’. NPS Facilitators operate within Divisions of General Practice to work directly with GPs and other health professionals on health topics that benefit from a Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) approach. Their key role is to take succinct information on best practice in prescribing and use of medicines to GPs, pharmacists and other health professionals in their local area. Each topic requires literature reviews, expert panel consideration and targetted resources and activities developed by NPS to support prescribers and other health professionals in providing the best care to their patients.

NPS CEO Lynn Weekes said the objective of the 7th annual Forum was to recognise and celebrate the diverse professional competencies and skills of NPS Facilitators, as well as their common identity as the interface between NPS and health professionals around the country. Dr Weekes provided an overview of longer-term goals for the organisation – including making greater inroads into disadvantaged communities, making NPS a household name and becoming the first choice for information on medicines.

Among the highlights was a thought-provoking expert panel discussion titled, ‘The power of influence: is awareness enough?’, which explored the many conflicting interests that Facilitators are exposed to in their everyday work. Issues such as how to maintain equilibrium and QUM focus within a real world practice environment were debated. The panel included representatives from Medicines Australia, Healthy Skepticism and NPS, as well as a grassroots GP, community pharmacist and Facilitator.

The Forum also featured concurrent workshops. Prominent clinicians, academics and educators led Facilitators through a range of skill and knowledge building experiences. These included identifying and forging greater ties with the Aboriginal health sector, understanding the psychological process of cognitive dissonance, applying advanced techniques of critical appraisal to published studies and research papers and interpreting clinical trial outcomes for primary care.

“Apart from enhancing the knowledge base of QUM, the Forum is also the Facilitators’ once-ayear chance to meet face-to-face with colleagues, share the Facilitator experience and broaden their professional networks,” Dr Weekes said. “NPS has a vital role to play as Australia’s leading QUM organisation and the annual Facilitators’ Forum is part of our continuing commitment to upskill Facilitators in their role of providing independent and free QUM services and resources to one of our most vital target groups: health professionals.” NPS Facilitator interventions and other NPS activities qualify for professional development points for GPs, pharmacists and nurses.

NPS is planning the 5th biennial National Medicines Symposium (NMS) 2008, which attracts leading international and national stakeholders to debate the issues for QUM in a global context. For more details go to www.nps.org.au, email or call (02) 8217 8700.

ENDS

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