Michelle King - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Michelle King

This paper explores the themes of business management competence that are regarded as most import... more This paper explores the themes of business management competence that are regarded as most important for educating Australian community pharmacy managers. The business and health system environments of community pharmacy in Australia are changing significantly. Community pharmacy owners and managers have been slow to respond, with evidence that poor management capability is a cause. Ten key community pharmacy stakeholders, deemed to be national profession-leaders or experts in management, participated in a semi-structured focus-group interview. The findings highlighted the theme of 'understanding' as crucial to the development of the critical areas of management competence. These findings provide an informative departure point for further research which seeks to better understand management competence required by community pharmacists and how competence may be improved.

Research in Social & Administrative Pharmacy, Sep 1, 2015

Background : Australian community pharmacies are experiencing challenges, including government pr... more Background : Australian community pharmacies are experiencing challenges, including government prescription pricing reform and a dramatically increasing competitive environment. Enacting appropriate responsive actions requires capable pharmacy managers. 'Capability' implies managing effectively in the present, but with unknown or emerging contexts and with new problems. A conceptual understanding of managerial capability as practiced by pharmacist owner-managers is unavailable in the literature. Objectives : This research aimed to address the question: How can we understand managerial capability in relation to effective community pharmacy management? The study's objective was to develop preliminary theoretical departure points for continuing research responding to the research question. Methods : The objective was approached by exploring how 5 top Australian pharmacy ownermanagers accomplish the management of their businesses in a changing business environment. Qualitative research methods were employed to develop a social process perspective of how the managers enact their management practices. In-depth semi-structured life-world interviews were undertaken as the major method of data collection. Interview text thematic analysis was carried out identifying rich conceptual properties and dimensions, which 'dimensionalized' 3 key integrated categories. Results : The findings show how the managers are immersed in their business, managerial and personal practices in a holistic and relational manner. Managerial processes, reported through three conceptual categories, their properties and dimensions, reveal the highly situational nature of the reality the managers were experiencing, including their need to express their personal/professional identity. The properties and dimensions of the category 'learning generatively' in particular, reveal how the pharmacy owner-managers shape their business activities and their emerging context as time passes.

PubMed, Sep 1, 2014

Australian health practitioner registration is national, whereas legislation regarding the handli... more Australian health practitioner registration is national, whereas legislation regarding the handling of medicines is governed by individual States and Territories. To align with the July 2010 national registration scheme some legislative modifications were made concerning scheduled drugs and poisons, but many differences between jurisdictions remain. In Queensland, the Health (Drugs and Poisons) Regulation 1996 (Qld) allows for dispensing of controlled drugs written by interstate prescribers but not lower scheduled specified restricted and regulated restricted drugs. The aim of this study was to assess awareness of seemingly counterintuitive legislation by pharmacists practising in South-East Queensland. Of 125 Gold Coast pharmacies contacted, 54 (43.2%) agreed to participate. The majority of pharmacists (88.9%) had good knowledge regarding controlled drugs. In contrast, they demonstrated confusion regarding specified restricted and regulated restricted drugs (51.9% correct awareness). Uniform legislation between jurisdictions or more intuitive legislation would ease practitioner confusion.

Research in Social & Administrative Pharmacy, Apr 1, 2021

BACKGROUND Worldwide, pharmacy practice is changing to include new roles and responsibilities. La... more BACKGROUND Worldwide, pharmacy practice is changing to include new roles and responsibilities. Laws enabling the implementation of assisted dying are expanding in international jurisdictions. Pharmacy practice in assisted dying is subsequently expanding. However, studies of how pharmacists experience their practice when engaged in assisted dying are absent. To progress research into the lived experiences of pharmacists practicing in assisted dying, the development of an inquiry framework to guide such research is the first step. OBJECTIVE The objective was to develop a theoretical framework of inquiry for use in subsequent continuing research which may explore the actual experience of pharmacy practice in assisted dying. METHODS Perspectives were gathered from expert and senior pharmacists who were anticipating the imminent implementation of assisted dying practice. Analysis focused on understanding what aspects of practice experience were important to them. Interview-conversations centred on the question: If you had the chance to talk to experienced pharmacist practitioners who have been involved in the practice of assisted dying, what aspects regarding their experiences, would you like to know about? A conventional approach to qualitative content analysis was utilized to analyze the data. RESULTS Findings summarized questions posed by pharmacists contemplating the implementation of assisted dying practice. These perspectives formed the foundation of a theoretical inquiry framework constituted by 8 inter-related dimensional range-continuums. Each range-continuum, designed to explore the lived experiences of pharmacists in practice, is defined. Examples of how the inquiry dimensions will be used to inform future exploratory research are offered within the framework. CONCLUSIONS The theoretical inquiry framework will be used to develop knowledge for pharmacists contemplating participation (or not) in assisted dying practice. It is timely to progress research that reveals the informed experiences of pharmacists that are actually practicing in this area. The framework may be adapted for researching pharmacists' experience in other practice areas and contexts.

Research Square (Research Square), Aug 4, 2023

Background While community pharmacies have been successful in providing harm reduction support fo... more Background While community pharmacies have been successful in providing harm reduction support for illicit substance consumers, little research has explored their role in addressing the needs of anabolicandrogenic steroid (AAS) consumers. Objective This study aims to understand the attitudes and experiences of AAS users in relation to community pharmacies, with the goal of identifying opportunities for harm reduction interventions and creating saferuse environments. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight AAS consumers living in Australia between December 2022 and April 2023. Interview data were analysed using re exive thematic analysis. Results Participants discussed accessing AAS equipment and overcoming challenges, such as limited access in rural areas. They highlighted the disparity between the availability and accessibility of equipment from pharmacies and needle and syringe programs. Participants expressed a preference for community pharmacies, perceiving them as less confronting and a feasible avenue for accessing professional advice, highlighting the potential role of pharmacists in nurturing therapeutic alliances with users of AAS. Overall consumers supported the idea of AAS safe-injecting kits being available in pharmacies and they were receptive to pharmacies as potential sources of information and support. Conclusions The ndings suggest that community pharmacies can further contribute to promoting safer AAS use and providing support for consumers. However, further research is needed to address knowledge gaps and training needs for pharmacy staff, with the aim of creating a safer environment for AAS consumers.

The American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, Dec 1, 2016

Objective. To broaden pharmacy students' international perspectives through a teaching and learni... more Objective. To broaden pharmacy students' international perspectives through a teaching and learning method involving international comparison. Design. Four topics within a pharmacy law and practice course were taught in-person by collaborating faculty members representing two international perspectives (Australian and Canadian). The assessed learning objective was for students to be able to synthesize an international comparative analysis that reflected an international perspective. Assessment. Approximately 70% (n544) of the class completed an online survey instrument that explored students' perceptions of their own learning. Six domains of inquiry represented in the questionnaire included knowledge development, international perspective, future prospects, personal enjoyment, assessment method, and overall learning experience. Quantitative and qualitative survey results reflected students' strong support for all statements of inquiry. Conclusions. The method involving international comparison, a classroom teaching collaboration and knowledge management using compare-contrast strategy positively influenced student perceptions in a range of ways and was effective in raising international perspectives in the pharmacy curriculum.

Research in Social & Administrative Pharmacy, Jul 1, 2022

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has caused changes that disrupted the status quo of society. As ... more Background The COVID-19 pandemic has caused changes that disrupted the status quo of society. As a result, the level of conflict in community pharmacy has increased significantly. With existing conflict research more focused on the management of conflict, it is important to direct attention towards understanding the nature of conflict. This understanding will allow for informed resources to be developed to guide practice, decreasing the occurrence of and negative effects of conflict. Objective This research explored experiences of pharmacists working in community pharmacies, to identify the occurrence and nature of conflicts which may have been motivated by changes resulting directly or indirectly from the COVID-19 pandemic, to provide directions for future research into the nature of conflict. Method Person-to-person semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted. Transcripts were analysed using inductive reasoning to identify themes. Results Thirteen pharmacists agreed to participate in this study and 9 were interviewed. Analysis revealed 7 themes that described the causes, contributors, management, outcome, and essence of experienced conflict. A model that incorporated existing theory and themes derived from this study was developed to facilitate understanding of the nature of conflict in community pharmacy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion Conflict in community pharmacy settings follows a defined model with multiple interrelated themes. Guidance from this model may assist pharmacists in reducing occurrences of dysfunctional conflicts during their practice.

Research in Social & Administrative Pharmacy, Mar 1, 2015

In successful community pharmacy business enterprises suitably responsive actions to meet ever-in... more In successful community pharmacy business enterprises suitably responsive actions to meet ever-increasing change require capable pharmacy managers who readily learn and adapt. Capability as a concept is generally understood to be the ability of a manager to identify and act to solve unfamiliar problems in unfamiliar situations. Capability is characterized by adaptability and flexibility. However, different understandings of the concept 'capability' and what it means to be 'capable' are indirect and incomplete. This paper aims to clarify current theories regarding the concept of 'capability' at the level of the individual, and through this to make more explicit what is known about the phenomenon, but more particularly, how we know what we know. The analysis includes the concept of 'competence' because explanations of capability include competence, and the two concepts are not clearly separated in the literature. By probing the epistemological origins of current theory concerning both concepts, the limiting taken for granted assumptions are revealed. Assumptions about context and time, and the psychological theory through which individuals are assumed to perceive, know and learn, are illuminated. The analysis, in connection with the literature, shows how the interpretive philosophic research approach may reveal a different and useful theoretical perspective for explaining capability as a dynamic performance. It is suggested that such a perspective may narrow the gap between the theory of capability and its practice. The interpretive perspective holds potential to reveal how capability, as performed by successful community pharmacy managers, might be further researched and strengthened. This paper supports the challenging suggestion that pharmacy social research needs to rebalance the dominance of purely empirical research by exploring interpretive methodologies to better understand human actions and relations in the context of pharmacy.

PLOS ONE, Oct 2, 2019

Background There have been growing recommendations to include education in multidisciplinary inte... more Background There have been growing recommendations to include education in multidisciplinary interventions targeting chronic pain management. However, effects of this strategy on short-and long-term self-management of chronic pain, remain largely unexplored. Objectives 1. To provide an updated overview of studies that report on the impact of patient education in multidisciplinary interventions, on self-management of chronic pain; 2. To explore associations between education and chronic pain self-management techniques; and 3. To identify the format and duration of suitable chronic pain interventions targeted at patient selfmanagement. Methods Design: Narrative systematic literature review of randomised or controlled study designs. Data Sources: PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO. Participants: Adult patients with chronic pain of any aetiology participating in multidisciplinary programs that included education. Main outcome measures: Assessments of level of pain, function, quality of life, selfefficacy, self-management, and any other relevant assessments. Study Appraisal and Synthesis Methods: PRISMA guidelines, Cochrane Risk of Bias tool, and TIDieR model. Results Database searching identified 485 potential papers. After removal of duplicates, and irrelevant articles by title and abstract, 120 full-text articles were reviewed and 27 studies were included in this systematic review. Studies were predominantly from the United States (n = 8; 29.6%). Over one hundred outcome measures were identified across all studies, with significant variation also observed in terms of how chronic pain duration was defined, and how education was delivered to participants. Overall, positive benefits of education were reported.

International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy, Feb 25, 2016

Grounded theory is a qualitative research methodology that aims to explain social phenomena, e.g.... more Grounded theory is a qualitative research methodology that aims to explain social phenomena, e.g. why particular motivations or patterns of behaviour occur, at a conceptual level. Developed in the 1960s by Glaser and Strauss, the methodology has been reinterpreted by Strauss and Corbin in more recent times, resulting in different schools of thought. Differences arise from different philosophical perspectives concerning knowledge (epistemology) and the nature of reality (ontology), demanding that researchers make clear theoretical choices at the commencement of their research when choosing this methodology. Compared to other qualitative methods it has ability to achieve understanding of, rather than simply describing, a social phenomenon. Achieving understanding however, requires theoretical sampling to choose interviewees that can contribute most to the research and understanding of the phenomenon, and constant comparison of interviews to evaluate the same event or process in different settings or situations. Sampling continues until conceptual saturation is reached, i.e. when no new concepts emerge from the data. Data analysis focusses on categorising data (finding the main elements of what is occurring and why), and describing those categories in terms of properties (conceptual characteristics that define the category and give meaning) and dimensions (the variations within properties which produce specificity and range). Ultimately a core category which theoretically explains how all other categories are linked together is developed from the data. While achieving theoretical abstraction in the core category, it should be logical and capture all of the variation within the data. Theory development requires understanding of the methodology not just working through a set of procedures. This article provides a basic overview, set in the literature surrounding grounded theory, for those wanting to increase their understanding and quality of research output. Keywords Data collection Á Grounded theory Á Interviews as topic Á Methods Á Qualitative research Á Research philosophy

International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy, Feb 5, 2016

Introduction The Nominal Group Technique (NGT) and Delphi Technique are consensus methods used in... more Introduction The Nominal Group Technique (NGT) and Delphi Technique are consensus methods used in research that is directed at problem-solving, idea-generation, or determining priorities. While consensus methods are commonly used in health services literature, few studies in pharmacy practice use these methods. This paper provides an overview of the NGT and Delphi technique, including the steps involved and the types of research questions best suited to each method, with examples from the pharmacy literature. Methodology The NGT entails face-to-face discussion in small groups, and provides a prompt result for researchers. The classic NGT involves four key stages: silent generation, round robin, clarification and voting (ranking). Variations have occurred in relation to generating ideas, and how 'consensus' is obtained from participants. The Delphi technique uses a multistage selfcompleted questionnaire with individual feedback, to determine consensus from a larger group of 'experts.' Questionnaires have been mailed, or more recently, e-mailed to participants. When to use The NGT has been used to explore consumer and stakeholder views, while the Delphi technique is commonly used to develop guidelines with health professionals. Method choice is influenced by various factors, including the research question, the perception of consensus required, and associated practicalities such as time and geography. Limitations The NGT requires participants to personally attend a meeting. This may prove difficult to organise and geography may limit attendance. The Delphi technique can take weeks or months to conclude, especially if multiple rounds are required, and may be complex for lay people to complete.

This paper explores the notion of managerial capability. The aim of this paper is three-fold. Fir... more This paper explores the notion of managerial capability. The aim of this paper is three-fold. Firstly, we have utilised the literature to clarify an understanding and conceptualisation of 'capability' contrasted with the often related term 'competence', at the level of the individual. Then, with these understandings and conceptualisations in mind, we explain why managerial capability is worthy of further theoretical exploration and how best to approach that exploration with the aim of generating useful theory about the phenomenon. Finally, we discuss selected findings of a pilot study of top managers from the Australian health care sector. The pilot study illustrates fruitful research methodology and directions regarding theory development of the concept 'managerial capability' in this limited context. This paper serves as a clarifying departure point for a larger exploratory study centred on the development of theory concerning managerial capability of SME managers in the Australian health care sector.

AJP: The Australian Journal of Pharmacy, 2019

The Australian Pharmacist, 2014

In a recent article published in the Journal of Law and Medicine, we reported research on the imp... more In a recent article published in the Journal of Law and Medicine, we reported research on the impact of Queensland drugs and poisons legislation.1 This legislation is counter-intuitive with respect to the dispensing of interstate prescriptions for Specified Restricted drugs (eg pseudoephedrine and anabolic steroids), Regulated Restricted drugs (eg isotretinoin and clomiphene), Regulated Controlled drugs (eg dexamphetamine and methylphenidate) and Controlled drugs (eg morphine and oxycodone).2 Specified Restricted and Regulated Restricted drugs require a Queensland address for the prescriber whereas Controlled drugs do not. Soon after National Registration in 2010, Queensland removed the requirement for a Queensland address for Schedule 8 Controlled Drugs however no change was made for Schedule 3 or 4 Specified Restricted and Regulated Restricted drugs. Pharmacists practising in border areas are most likely to be presented with interstate prescriptions and therefore this study was conducted in South-East Queensland. We found that the majority of pharmacists (88.9%) were correct in their application of the drugs and poisons regulations regarding an interstate Controlled Drug script but this proportion decreased (51.9%) for Specified Restricted drugs and Regulated Restricted drugs. Compared to Controlled drugs (1.9%) there was a greater level of uncertainty as to whether interstate Specified Restricted (14.8%) and Regulated Restricted drugs (7.4%) could be dispensed. Given the drugs and poisons regulations are currently under review, greater focus on uniform, intuitive legislation has the potential to avoid such confusion.

Pharmacy, Apr 15, 2021

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Pharmacy, Mar 26, 2022

Objective Being conversant in core drug knowledge is essential for pharmacy graduates. Pharmacist... more Objective Being conversant in core drug knowledge is essential for pharmacy graduates. Pharmacists provide up to date drug information and advice in various healthcare settings; hence practical drug knowledge is an essential part of pharmacy education. Medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and therapeutics are often discrete building blocks in pharmacy curricula, leaving the possibility that students may pass individual subjects but not retain knowledge, or be able to apply it in a practical situation to individual patients or in particular contexts. Anecdotal reports from the pharmacy profession suggest that pharmacy graduates entering the workplace may possess inadequate core drug knowledge. The aim of this project was to implement and assess a number of student-focused educational initiatives, including speed dating as an innovative tool, to facilitate the revision of practical drug knowledge, improve self-reflection and confidence in counselling, and to prepare graduates for internship and pharmacy practice. Method During the final semester of the Master of Pharmacy program in 2012, students were exposed to a variety of practical drug review strategies. A list of 100 significant drugs was compiled and distributed to students, which included the 50 most commonly dispensed drugs in Australia and 50 drugs that teacher-practitioners considered important. Intermittent formative quizzes on the core drugs were delivered at the start of selected lectures, with immediate feedback provided. Speed dating workshops were developed, in which students rotated between timed stations of student peers and pharmacy academics to demonstrate drug knowledge, including drug class, indication, dosing, counselling and monitoring, on randomly selected core drugs. Finally, a module of review lectures, on cardiovascular drugs, anti-infective therapies, drugs significant in the hospital practice setting and drug counselling, were created and delivered. The initiatives were later evaluated by anonymous questionnaire distributed during a timetabled class. Students were asked to rate the degree to which they perceived each activity improved their core drug knowledge, self-reflection, confidence in medication counselling, and overall preparedness for pharmacy practice using a 5-point Likert scale (1=strongly disagree to 5=strongly agree). Students were also invited to comment on the review activities, including the speed dating workshop. University Ethics Approval was granted (PHM/04/12/HREC). Results Of 98 students enrolled 78% (n=76) received and completed the questionnaire. All students were exposed to the core drug list, the majority of students were exposed to the quizzes and review lectures, and 88% (n=67) of respondents attended the speed dating workshop. Overall, students agreed that the activities had positive impacts on improving drug knowledge, confidence in counselling, preparedness for practice and self-reflection. The most notable of these was the ability to self-reflect on areas requiring improvement: core drug list (mean 4.53), quizzes (mean 4.51), speed dating (mean 4.43) and review lectures (mean 4.15). End of semester exam results for drug knowledge questions was high (mean 91%) compared to total exam results (mean 72%). Conclusion The drug review activities engaged students and improved their drug knowledge. Students agreed they improved their counselling and preparedness, and they valued the ability to self-reflect on their knowledge gaps.

OBJECTIVE In Australia, provision of systematic medication review services is a specialist role f... more OBJECTIVE In Australia, provision of systematic medication review services is a specialist role for pharmacists. Registered pharmacists who wish to perform Home Medicines Reviews (HMRs) and Residential Medication Management Reviews (RMMRs) must be accredited. Accreditation with the Australian Association of Consultant Pharmacy (AACP) requires completion of Stage One and Two training and assessment. In 2009, Griffith University collaborated with the AACP to introduce the AACP Stage One preparatory course into the Master of Pharmacy curriculum to prepare students for practice specialisation, thereby enhancing career opportunities. METHOD AACP guidelines were mapped against the existing Master of Pharmacy curriculum. Endorsement of the School of Pharmacy to deliver AACP Stage One accreditation required a number of program modifications. Existing lecture content that met AACP requirements was rearranged into modules; and AACP-specific lectures, outlining the process, rules and regulations associated with accreditation, were incorporated. Recording of attendance was required for all AACP-related teaching and learning activities; and workshops evolved to provide experiential HMR and RMMR activities. Student attendance at all AACP lectures and workshops was compulsory to achieve Stage One accreditation, which was conferred by the AACP. RESULTS Griffith University was the first Australian university to successfully incorporate the AACP Stage One preparatory course into a pharmacy program. Students can now graduate with completed Stage One status in addition to their degree. Since its introduction in 2009, 97% of students have achieved Stage One accreditation. Student feedback has indicated that it provides a great start to their careers, and motivation to undertake medication reviews in the future. CONCLUSION Introduction of external accreditation into the pharmacy curriculum was valued by students, the vast majority of whom welcomed the opportunity to achieve Stage One accreditation. Credentialing by external organisations can be incorporated into a pharmacy program, thereby providing additional competencies and facilitating practice specialisation.

The Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy, Oct 3, 2022

Background: Pharmacists in many countries have long been involved in some aspect of assisted dyin... more Background: Pharmacists in many countries have long been involved in some aspect of assisted dying. Since 2016, when Canada enacted legislation permitting medical assistance in dying (MAiD), the number of patients seeking the procedure has increased yearly. Despite the global nature of pharmacists' involvement, little is known about how they experience MAiD practice. Objective: To study how pharmacists experience the practice of caring for patients who seek MAiD. Methods: This qualitative study used semistructured interviews with pharmacists who had cared for patients seeking MAiD. Interviews, conducted between June 2019 and October 2020, were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were examined using a modified framework analysis approach. Data were coded and sorted using Quirkos and Microsoft Excel software. Themes were defined through an iterative process involving constant comparison. Results: Nineteen hospital pharmacists representing a range of practice settings in Alberta participated in the study. The experience of caring for patients seeking assistance in dying brought to light 3 themes: finding a place in the process, serving in a caring role, and bearing emotional burdens. Pharmacists' experiences were personal, relational, emotional, and dynamic. Conclusions: Each of the pharmacists experienced MAiD practice in a unique way. Although their roles in MAiD were primarily medicationfocused, their experiences highlighted the centrality of patient choices, autonomy, and needs. The results of this study will inform pharmacists (including those not yet engaged in MAiD practice) about the role, and will also be valuable for pharmacy organizations and educators seeking to support pharmacists and the profession, as well as policy-makers seeking to expand pharmacists' roles in MAiD.

Pharmacy

Extended and immersive gamified pharmacy simulation has been demonstrated to provide transformati... more Extended and immersive gamified pharmacy simulation has been demonstrated to provide transformative learning in pharmacy education, preparing graduates for real-world practice. An international consortium of universities has implemented local adaptations of the Pharmacy Game into their curricula. From early 2020, pharmacy academics modified the delivery of gamified simulation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, while still aiming to deliver the important learning outcomes of enhanced communication, collaboration, confidence and competence. Australian universities went into full lockdown from March 2020, and the critical gamified simulation at Griffith University was delivered entirely virtually in 2020. An array of synchronous and asynchronous approaches and software platforms was employed, including Microsoft Teams, Forms and Stream plus the online interview platform Big Interview. These allowed for the simulation activities, including dispensing, counselling and clinical cases, ...