ArticleAustralasian journal on ageing2025
National audit of the structure and function of Australian residential care medication advisory committees.
Article in Australasian journal on ageing, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Maximising Embedded Pharmacists in AGed CAre Medication Advisory Committees (MEGA-MAC): protocol for implementing Australia's new guiding principles for medication management in residential aged care facilities using knowledge brokers and a national quality improvement collaborative.Implementation science : IS · 2025Article
- National audit of the structure and function of Australian residential care medication advisory committees.Australasian journal on ageing · 2025Article
- Exploring quality improvement processes for psychotropic medication use in Australian residential aged care homes: a qualitative study.Journal of pharmaceutical policy and practice · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
12 authors.
Funding
Abstract
objectiveAll Australian residential care facilities are recommended to have access to a medication advisory committee (MAC) to provide governance of medication management. The objective was to explore the structure and function of Australian MACs.
methodsA national 43-item survey of MACs was conducted from November 2023 to January 2024. The survey was adapted from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care Audit Tool and Checklist for a Medication Advisory Committee (Audit Tool). All MAC representatives were recruited using a comprehensive and purposive strategy including the Department of Health and Aged Care newsletter, professional organisations, social media and professional contacts. Outcomes included self-reported MAC structure and function across four key roles as per the Audit Tool, including policy development, risk management, education and quality improvement.
resultsResponses were received from 120 MACs covering 642 residential care facilities (24% of Australian residential care facilities) in all Australian states and mainland territories. The MACs provided oversight to a median (IQR) 116 (61-196) beds/residents and a median (IQR) 1 (1-4) facilities. Over half (58%) of MACs were multidisciplinary (nursing, pharmacist and prescriber representation). More than half of MACs reported performing all functions listed in the Audit Tool relating to policy development (59%) and risk management (53%). Only 41% and 28% of MACs reported they performed all functions in the Audit Tool related to education and quality improvement, respectively.
conclusionThere is extensive heterogeneity in the structure and function of MACs with scope for MACs to become more multidisciplinary, identify staff training needs and proactively lead quality improvement.
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