Optimising pharmacist-led medication reviews in primary care to improve patient outcomes for those with long-term conditions.

Craske, Miriam (2025) Optimising pharmacist-led medication reviews in primary care to improve patient outcomes for those with long-term conditions. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

Preview

PDF Download (6MB) | Preview

Abstract

Pharmacist-led medication reviews are a regularly used intervention in UK practice to help patients manage their long-term conditions and support the appropriate use of medicines. There is wide variation in how medication reviews are operationalised in the UK, and it is not known how this variation affects patient outcomes. The research presented in this thesis investigated how pharmacist-led medication reviews in primary care (general practice) could be optimised to improve patient outcomes for those with long-term conditions.

This research followed a structured, multi-phase approach using the MRC NIHR framework for complex interventions to optimise pharmacist-led medication reviews. The chosen methodologies included evidence syntheses exploring existing literature and identifying key components of pharmacist-led medication reviews, and co-design to develop an optimised intervention, which included early testing of a guidance document for pharmacists conducting medication reviews.

The scoping review found that the implementation of pharmacist-led medication reviews was generally poorly described, with substantial variation in outcomes, which makes it difficult to ascertain what a high-quality medication review looks like and what leads to good outcomes. The subsequent systematic review identified themes and components of pharmacist-led medication reviews were associated with improved outcomes for patients; these included patient involvement in goal setting and action planning, and additional support and follow up from healthcare professionals. Focus groups elicited stakeholders’ opinions of pharmacist-led medication reviews and agreed areas where they can be improved. A guidance document to support pharmacists delivering medication reviews was co-designed and tested for acceptability. Pharmacist-led medication reviews in primary care can be optimised by patients and pharmacists preparing for the review, patients being actively involved in the process and agreeing treatment goals and scheduling appropriate follow-up appointments. The next step is to engage a wider group of stakeholders to refine the document before testing it on a larger scale.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Pharmacology
Depositing User:	Chris White
Date Deposited:	18 Feb 2026 13:46
Last Modified:	18 Feb 2026 13:46
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/101977
DOI:

Downloads

Actions (login required)

View Item