We are pleased to invite you to an enlightening seminar on the topic of Home Medicine Reviews (HMRs) and their role in optimising medication management for patients in Australia. This seminar will provide valuable insights based on recent research and data analysis. This hybrid seminar, hosted by the SafetyNet Economics of Safety working group, will be delivered by Dr Jean Spinks, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for the Business and Economics of Health, the University of Queensland, Australia. The event will take place at the University of Manchester, and will be streamed online via Zoom for those participating remotely.

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Abstract:

Home Medicine Reviews (HMRs) are a service provided by accredited pharmacists with the aim of optimising medication management by patients/consumers. Despite being funded nationally in Australia, the evidence supporting HMR effectiveness is mixed, with a lack of studies using larger clinical and/or administrative datasets to assess outcomes. Using a Victorian general practice dataset (Data for Decisions), we exploit one of the eligibility criteria for receipt the service – taking five or more concurrent medications – in a regression discontinuity study. A range of process and intermediate health outcomes are considered, including under/over prescribing, a lack of therapeutic monitoring, and chronic disease control, all of which are considered to be potentially preventable pathways to avoidable hospitalisation and/or serious health sequelae. Results are discussed within the context of more targeted interventions being developed to avoid medication harm, and how the place in clinical practice for HMRs may subsequently be revised.

Biography:

Dr Jean Spinks is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for the Business and Economics of Health, the University of Queensland, Australia. She is a health economist, pharmacist and a health systems researcher with a particular interest in health workforce planning in primary health care, particularly in relation to multi-disciplinary teams. She is currently co-leading a Medical Research Future Fund project “Activating pharmacists to reduce medication related problems: The ACTMed stepped wedge randomised controlled trial”, trialling pharmacists working in general practice within a quality improvement framework to improve medication safety. Other projects include “Applying needs-based workforce planning in primary care”, “Promoting LGBTQIA+ Professional Identities and Diversity in Primary Healthcare” and “First do no harm: investigating the relationship between pharmacist workloads, stress and dispensing errors using wearable technology”. Jean is a member of the Economic Sub-Committee (ESC) of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC).

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