GP Pharmacist | Consultant Pharmacist | Talks about #multidisciplinarycare #ruralhealth #pharmacy #generalpractice *Credentialed Pharmacist of the Year 2024*
I was recently honored with the "Credentialed Pharmacist of the Year" award, partly for my rural health advocacy but primarily for my early adoption of and advocacy for the normalisation of the "GP Pharmacist" role in Australia. These titles, along with my award, prompts reflection. Just last year, this recognition was known as the "Consultant Pharmacist of the Year." Does "#consultantpharmacist" suggest a higher level of expertise or education, or merely a different scope of tasks to other #pharmacists? And what about "#credentialedpharmacist"? What does that mean to other healthcare professionals and to patients? Spoiler: probably nothing. The nuances of healthcare titles are not just semantics though- they guide expectations and understandings of the care delivered. It's crucial for us to discuss and clarify these roles and get these titles right to enhance transparency and trust within our healthcare system. So, does my title as a "#GPPharmacist" imply a partnership or co-location with General Practitioners, or does it suggest I am both a GP and a pharmacist? It is the former, but looks like it can be misconstrued as the latter, given the attached recent local newspaper article referred to me as a “local doctor,” repeatedly using the prefix “Dr.” Now, spoiler #2, I am neither a medically trained doctor nor do I hold a PhD. This mislabeling goes beyond a simple mistake—it highlights a broader issue: the crucial distinction between the scope of practice of a profession and the individual professional's scope of practice.. and what does that mean to the patient and to other HC professionals? It’s pretty easy for me to clarify my role and skill set with the patient in front of me, but not so easy when it comes to legislation and healthcare structures. Ultimately, governance should facilitate skilled professionals working to their full scope, not restrict them, because for most patients, particularly those in the bush, the answer is straightforward: they likely do not care about the specific titles their healthcare providers hold as long as they receive person-centered, high-quality, safe, timely access to care. We need a revolution in primary health care delivery- one that unites rather than fragments, and strategically deploys the best talent for the task. A flexible and dynamic model that honours each practitioner's scope, streamlines care, and boosts every team member's impact, all while keeping the patient at the heart of every decision. I’m not married to the GP Pharmacist title, I’ll answer to anything, as long as I can use my skills to serve my community. A goal shared by us all. Bring on the Scope of Practice review, the normalisation of pharmacists using their skills wherever medicines are and the removal of barriers to all healthcare professionals working to their full potential. Pharmaceutical Society of Australia The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Emma McBride Anne Webster Mark Cormack
Linda Henderson
7mo
Well said Brooke, your reflection on language and the scope of practice cvoncpt is spot on, love to join you on n the revolutionising primary health care in rural locations.
Love reading these reflections and the important work you do, making a difference!
Manya Angley
7mo
Well said, Brooke!
Well done Brooke Shelly!! Thoroughly deserved recognition of your passion for our community and your industry. 👏👏
Rahmeen Khan
7mo
Kudos to you👏🏻
Megan Tremlett
6mo
Brooke Shelly so well articulated as always - I 100% agree!
Georgia C.
7mo
A brilliant advocate for the profession, this award is so well deserved Brooke Shelly!
Alexandra Sharpe
6mo
Such Ana amazing time for pharmacists! Well done Brooke!!
Bill Suen
7mo
Great work Brook.
Advanced Practice Pharmacist ● Clinical Executive Lead, National Asthma Council
7moI find it interesting that pharmacists like to add an adjective before pharmacist or pharmacy eg hospital pharmacist, community pharmacy. I think we should define ourselves by what we do, rather than where we work. Consumers/patients and other health professionals often only think of these two situations when you say you are a pharmacist. And relate our role to dispensing. Our goal with our expanded scope of practice should be that consumers and HPs just expect us to be in different settings. As Brooke Shelly says, pharmacists should be wherever medicines are. And that should be the new normal.