Resources

In this episode NPS MedicineWise CEO Adj A/Prof Steve Morris is joined by Professor Andrew McLachlan, Head of School and Dean of Pharmacy at the University of Sydney, to discuss how the COVID pandemic has sparked a growing interest among consumers in medicines and treatments.

They discuss the vital role health professionals play in communicating harms and benefits with consumers.

They also consider why clinicians should take an interest in the upcoming review of the National Medicines Policy, and Steve bids farewell ahead of stepping down as NPS MedicineWise CEO at the end of July.

Further reading

• National Medicines Policy
  https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/national-medicines-policy
• National Medicines Policy 2.0: a vision for the future – Andrew J McLachlan, Parisa Aslani https://www.nps.org.au/australian-prescriber/articles/national-medicines-policy-2-0-a-vision-for-the-future
• Medical Journal of Australia - Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines: findings from real world studies - David Henry, Mark Jones, Paulina Stehlik and Paul Glasziou 
  https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2021/effectiveness-covid-19-vaccines-findings-real-world-studies
• Quality Use of Medicines and Medicines Safety Discussion Paper
  https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/publications-and-resources/resource-library/quality-use-medicines-and-medicines-safety-discussion-paper

In this episode about health literacy, NPS MedicineWise CEO Adj A/Prof Steve Morris is joined by health consumer advocate Debra Letica and CEO of the Consumers Health Forum, Leanne Wells.

New survey findings have shown that one in five consumers rarely or never felt comfortable asking their doctor, pharmacist or nurse when they needed more information. Steve, Debra and Leanne discuss how health literacy is a fundamental pathway to good healthcare, practical ways health professionals can help consumers feel more in control of their own health care, and why it’s so important to include consumers in shaping health care messages.

Further reading:

• NPS MedicineWise and CHF: New survey results shine a light on health literacy in Australia: https://www.nps.org.au/media/new-survey-results-shine-a-light-on-health-literacy-in-australia
• Consumer Health Literacy Segmentation and Activation Research Project – Final report: https://www.nps.org.au/assets/Consumer-Segmentation-and-Activation-Project_FINAL-Report-28-January-2021.pdf
• A personal journey from a carer to a Choosing Wisely advocate - Debra Letica: https://www.choosingwisely.org.au/featured-stories/a-personal-journey-from-a-carer-to-a-choosing-wisely-advocate
• Choosing Wisely - 5 questions to ask your doctor or other healthcare provider before you get any test, treatment, or procedure: https://www.choosingwisely.org.au/resources/consumers-and-carers/5questions

In this episode NPS MedicineWise CEO Steve Morris interviews Leanne Wells, CEO of the Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF) following the recent CHF Summit - Australasia’s inaugural consumer health summit.

They discuss what health organisations and health professionals need to do fundamentally to move towards truly consumer-centred care, how we build equity in accessibility into digital enhancement and evolution, and the role of health literacy and in particular medicines literacy in helping ensure people don't get left behind.

Steve and Leanne also discuss the challenges and opportunities of virtual conferences, and invite listeners to join two upcoming virtual events: the National Medicines Symposium on 18 May and the 2021 Choosing Wisely Australia National Meeting on 19 May.

Further reading:

• A Working Together agreement between CHF and NPS MedicineWise (May 2020): www.nps.org.au/chf-and-nps-medicine-wise-working-together-agreement
• National Medicines Symposium – 18 May 2021: www.nps.org.au/nms2021
• Choosing Wisely Australia National Meeting – 19 May 2021: www.choosingwisely.org.au/national-meeting/2021

In this special edition of the NPS MedicineWise podcast, Dr Jill Thistlethwaite talks with Dr Tania Gardner, senior physiotherapist with St Vincent's Hospital’s ‘Reboot Online’ Pain Management Program, and Ms Sarah Fowler, a member of Painaustralia’s Consumer Advisory Group, about the non-pharmacological treatment options for patients with chronic non-cancer pain. The discussion draws from Sarah’s consumer experience and outlines effective strategies for motivating patients to actively participate in the shared-decision making process with their health professional. This podcast was developed with funding from the Therapeutic Goods Administration, Australian Government Department of Health.

Further reading:

• Opioids, chronic pain and the bigger picture (NPS MedicineWise resources for health professionals): https://www.nps.org.au/professionals/opioids-chronic-pain
• MedicineWise News: If not opioids then what?
• NPS MedicineWise series of communication videos about opioids and chronic non-cancer pain: https://www.nps.org.au/opioids-communication-videos
• TGA Prescription Opioids Hub: https://www.tga.gov.au/hubs/prescription-opioids
• St Vincent’s Hospital’s ‘This Way Up’ online courses (including the ‘Reboot Online’ Pain Management Program):
  https://thiswayup.org.au/courses/the-chronic-pain-course/
• Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI) Pain Management Network: https://www.aci.health.nsw.gov.au/chronic-pain
• Free ‘Better Pain Prescribing’ course from the Faculty of Pain Medicine (FPM), Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA): https://www.betterpainmanagement.com/product?catalog=TGA-BPM

In this special edition of the NPS MedicineWise podcast, Dr Jill Thistlethwaite talks with Associate Professor Michael Vagg, pain physician and Dean of the Faculty of Pain Medicine Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) and Mr Don Firth, a member of Painaustralia’s Consumer Advisory Group, about the challenges involved in tapering opioids. They discuss the practical aspects of tapering, drawing from their different experiences, and sharing examples from clinical practice. 

This podcast was developed with funding from the Therapeutic Goods Administration, Australian Government Department of Health.

Further reading:

• Opioids, chronic pain and the bigger picture (resources for health professionals): https://www.nps.org.au/professionals/opioids-chronic-pain
• Starting a conversation about opioid tapering with patients (PDF): https://www.nps.org.au/assets/NPS_MedicineWise_Opioids_Conversation_Starter_FINAL.pdf
• Series of communication videos about opioids and chronic non-cancer pain: https://www.nps.org.au/opioids-communication-videos
• Tapering algorithm: https://www.nps.org.au/assets/NPS-MedicineWise-opioid-tapering-algorithm.pdf
• TGA Prescription Opioids Hub: https://www.tga.gov.au/hubs/prescription-opioids
• TGA Clinician information sheet on opioid analgesic tapering: https://www.tga.gov.au/resource/clinician-information-sheet-opioid-analgesic-tapering
• Free ‘Better Pain Prescribing’ course from the Faculty of Pain Medicine (FPM), Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA): https://www.betterpainmanagement.com/product?catalog=TGA-BPM

In this episode Dr Anna Samecki talks with accredited pharmacist Kara Joyce, who has been overseeing the new NPS MedicineWise program on Dementia and changed behaviours: a person-centred approach. 

They discuss the main issues facing aged care, specifically from a dementia and changed behaviours perspective, the impact of COVID-19 on this space, the importance of person-centred care, and what resources are available for health professionals to support consumers, their families and carers.

Further reading

• NPS MedicineWise - https://www.nps.org.au/professionals/antipsychotic-medicines
• Dementia Training Australia - https://dta.com.au/bpsd-quick-reference-cards/
• Dementia Outcomes measurement suite - https://dementiaresearch.org.au/resources/doms/
• Dementia Australia - https://www.dementia.org.au/
• Older Persons Advocacy Network - https://opan.com.au/yourchoice/
• The Empowered Project - https://empoweredproject.org.au/
• National Medicines Symposium (NMS) 2020 - https://www.nps.org.au/nms2020

Podcast: TGA access to unapproved goods access

Dr Caroline West, medical advisor and GP, NPS MedicineWise talks to Dr Jess Tidemann about the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) and how GPs can access unapproved therapeutic goods, such as medicinal cannabis.

Further reading

Accessing unapproved products https://www.tga.gov.au/accessing-unapproved-products