The landscape of self-care in Australia: A pharmacy perspective

• Published in: Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy 2024-03, Vol.13, p.100396-100396, Article 100396
• Main Authors: Dineen-Griffin, Sarah, Benrimoj, Shalom I.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Community pharmacy; Pharmacist; Pharmacy practice; Primary health care; Self care
• ISSN: 2667-2766; 2667-2766
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rcsop.2023.100396

The evolving landscape of self-care in Australia underscores the imperative of recognizing and integrating the crucial role of pharmacists in promoting greater levels of self-care. Although the social and economic justifications for self-care are acknowledged internationally and in the literature, there is very little policy recognition in relation to self-care specifically in Australian health policy. Additionally, the distinct contributions of pharmacies to self-care, i.e., their experiences and accessibility in primary health care, are not consistently highlighted. Community pharmacies in Australia are currently navigating a transformative shift, expanding their scope of practice to deliver highly individualized care, with a special emphasis on the implementation of professional services crucial for the sector's enduring viability. Although pharmacists already play a substantial role in supporting self-care, there exists a compelling demand for a systematic and structured approach. Despite the limited availability of theoretical frameworks or models for pharmacists in self-care support within the existing literature, tangible practical evidence attests to the success of interventions. In an era where patients increasingly assume responsibility for self-managing conditions, the pharmacist's role in facilitating self-care and judicious self-medication is pivotal, promising not only tangible benefits for individuals but also contributing significantly to the long-term sustainability of the healthcare system in Australia. This necessitates a strategic and comprehensive framework that positions pharmacists as essential catalysts in the broader landscape of healthcare, ensuring their contributions are optimally leveraged to enhance patient outcomes and system efficiency.