Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40856960›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of clinical pharmacy2026

The Aged Care Onsite Pharmacist (ACOP) program in Australia: a qualitative study to examine key considerations for successful implementation in residential aged care homes.

Sara Javanparast, Daria S Gutteridge, Peter D Hibbert, Elizabeth Manias, Andrew C Stafford, Gregory M Peterson, Gillian E Caughey, Janet K Sluggett

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in International journal of clinical pharmacy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Sara JavanparastUniSA Allied Health and Human Performance Unit, C/O Level 8, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), University of South Australia, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia. sara.javanparast@unisa.edu.au.
Daria S GutteridgeUniSA Allied Health and Human Performance Unit, C/O Level 8, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), University of South Australia, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.
Peter D HibbertUniSA Allied Health and Human Performance Unit, C/O Level 8, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), University of South Australia, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.
Elizabeth ManiasMonash Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
Andrew C StaffordCurtin Medical School and enAble Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.
Gregory M PetersonSchool of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia.
Gillian E CaugheyRegistry of Senior Australians Research Centre (ROSA), South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Janet K SluggettUniSA Allied Health and Human Performance Unit, C/O Level 8, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), University of South Australia, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.

Funding

Medical Research Future Fund MRFMMIP000019
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionThe Aged Care Onsite Pharmacist (ACOP) program was recently launched in Australia to enable pharmacists to deliver clinical governance, clinical pharmacy and education services on the ground in residential aged care homes (RACHs). As the program is now being scaled up nationally, it is crucial to understand the complex interactions between various factors at the individual and organisational levels to ensure the program is successfully implemented and achieves its ultimate goal of improving the quality use of medicines in RACHs.

aimThis qualitative study aimed to explore stakeholders' perspectives on medication management, perceived value of onsite pharmacists, and key considerations for successful program implementation in RACHs.

methodWe employed a qualitative approach and conducted semi-structured interviews (n = 61) with residents/families, pharmacists, medical practitioners, RACH staff, and individuals involved in policy and planning. Participants with experience working in both metropolitan and rural areas were included. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and thematically analysed, both inductively and deductively. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research informed the design of the study, developing interview schedules and data analysis.

resultsFactors influencing the program implementation were grouped into five themes: (1) Individuals: factors concerning individuals involved in the program; (2) Innovation: factors related to the program design; (3) Process: implementation process actions; (4) Inner setting: factors relating to the organisational context; and (5) Outer setting: factors pertaining to the policy context. Most participants valued the potential contribution of onsite pharmacists. Program flexibility was noted as essential to increase its acceptability, uptake and adoptability. A desire for implementation strategies was evident. Workforce, organisational leadership, infrastructure and resources, and broader policy support were noted as critical for the program's success.

conclusionThe ACOP program represents a promising strategy to enhance medication management in RACHs. However, implementation on a large scale necessitates a thoughtful consideration of various interconnected factors at the individual, organisation and policy levels that may affect its uptake, adoptability, and long-term sustainability. This has implications for policymakers and providers at the scale up phase to ensure the program achieves its ultimate goal of enhancing residents' health outcomes.

Indexed as

Homes for the AgedNursing HomesPharmaceutical ServicesPharmacistsProfessional RoleAgedAustraliaFemaleHumansMaleMedication Therapy ManagementQualitative ResearchImplementation scienceLong-term careMedication therapy managementNursing homesOlder peoplePharmacists

Identifiers

PMID40856960
PMCPMC12823688

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.