title: Access to medications in the community by patients in a palliative setting. A systems analysis.
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.
authors: St Francis Hospice, Raheny, Dublin, Ireland. lucey_mike@hotmail.com
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Lucey
authors: R
authors: R
authors: McQuillan
authors: A
authors: A
authors: MacCallion
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Corrigan
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Flynn
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Connaire
mesh_terms: D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000592:standards / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D013597:Systems Analysis; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations