Access to medications in the community by patients in a palliative setting. A systems analysis.

Lucey, M; McQuillan, R; MacCallion, A; Corrigan, M; Flynn, J; Connaire, K · Palliat Med · 2008

prospective_cohort · Level II

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Abstract

This study performed a systems analysis of the process by which patients under the care of a specialist palliative home care obtained medications, and highlighted factors that delay this process. Systems analysis is the science dealing with analysis of complex, large-scale systems and the interactions within those systems. This study used a mixed-methods approach of questionnaires of general practitioners, pharmacists and patients, and a prospective observational study of delays experienced by patients referred to the home care team over a three-month period. This study found the main factors causing delay to be: medications not being in stock in pharmacies, medications not being available on state reimbursed schemes and inability of patients and carers to courier medications.

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