The Creation of a Practice-Based Network of Pharmacists Working in Family Medicine Groups (FMG).

Anne Maheu,Line Guénette,Marie-Claude Vanier,Léonie Rouleau,Nicolas Dugré

doi:10.3390/pharmacy7030108

Abstract

A needs assessment study of pharmacists working in family medicine groups (FMG) demonstrated the necessity to build a practice-based network. This network would foster a faster integration into FMG and a more efficient collaborative practice. It would also take advantage of an existing practice-based research network (PBRN)—the STAT (Soutien Technologique pour l’Application et le Transfert des pratiques novatrices en pharmacie) network. A working group of nine FMG pharmacists from the different regions of the province of Quebec, Canada, and a committee of partners, including the key pharmacy organizations, were created. Between January 2018 and May 2019, nine meetings took place to discuss the needs assessment results and deploy an action plan. The practice-based network first year activities allowed identifying pharmacists working in FMGs across the province. A directory of these pharmacists was published on the STAT network. The vision, mission, mandate, name («Réseau Québécois des Pharmaciens GMF») and logo were developed. The first few activities include: Bi-monthly newsletters; a mentorship program; short evidence-based therapeutic letters (pharmacotherapeutic capsules) and a start-up kit to facilitate integration of these pharmacists. The Quebec FMG pharmacist practice-based network has been launched. It is planned to evaluate the members’ satisfaction in late Spring 2020 with regards to activities and resources provided.

Highlights

In most Canadian provinces, pharmacists are members of primary healthcare teams [1], such as family medicine groups (FMGs)
We found most FMG pharmacists were self-employed and worked by themselves
It Itwas that aapractice-based practice-basednetwork network would address wasclear, clear,from fromthe theneeds needsassessment assessment results, results, that would address many of the issues raised by the respondents and facilitate practice and promote many of the issues raised by the respondents and facilitate FMG pharmacists’ practice and promote a more consistent role for these pharmacists across the province

Summary

Introduction

In most Canadian provinces, pharmacists are members of primary healthcare teams [1], such as family medicine groups (FMGs). FMG pharmacists provide direct patient care in collaboration with other healthcare professionals. They support the FMG team to optimize patients’ pharmacotherapy. Ministry of Health and Social Services, in 2015, has resulted in a broad integration of pharmacists in FMGs. A small proportion of FMG pharmacists work in university-affiliated FMGs (FMG-U) and are involved in teaching family medicine residents. A few have integrated super clinics (FMG-R) that provide increased access (i.e., they are open seven days a week, 12 h per day) to a broader range of primary care services for semi-urgent and urgent needs. According to the Quebec Ministry of Health, 79% of the 333 FMGs (FMG, FMG-U and FMG-R) had a working agreement with one or more pharmacists in January 2019 [3]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion