October 26, 2023
A researcher at the School of Pharmacy is taking her research project to the next level, thanks to a major grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
Dr. Debbie Kelly is a professor, pharmacist and director of the Medication Treatment Services Clinic at the Memorial University School of Pharmacy. Her project team spans Atlantic Canada, Ontario and Alberta and their projects have received $1,916,463 in award titles over five years. To “Improving the sexual health of Canadians through the pharmacy-based sexual health services (PbSHS) model.”
The funding is provided through CIHR’s Transforming Health through Integrated Care Implementation Science Team grant.
Photo: Submitted
Improve access
Federal Health Minister Mark Holland announced the award on October 20.
“Health research is critical to ensuring Canadians receive world-class health care,” he said. “With this investment today, we are continuing our record of investment in research as part of our commitment to strengthening health care in communities across the country. These research teams will address the important health challenges we face, and their work will provide benefits to people with serious health conditions. Problems lead to better care and better health outcomes for people.”
Sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI), including HIV, hepatitis C and syphilis, are on the rise in Canada.
The country’s health care system has limited capacity to meet the demand for sexual health services. Transformative interventions are needed in the way we screen, prevent and treat STBBI.
There are effective prevention and treatments for STBBI, but many Canadians lack access to health care professionals and an environment to receive this care.
The situation is even more dire for vulnerable groups such as the LGBTQ+ community, drug users, and diverse ethnic and immigrant groups.
Urgent need
Dr. Kelly’s project builds on research findings from completed and ongoing projects across Canada and aims to formalize a pharmacy-based model of sexual health services beyond research projects into regular, ongoing health care services.
This will allow people to be tested for STBBI and receive preventive and treatment medications through their local pharmacy.
“Pharmacists’ scope of practice has expanded across the country, and study participants told us that private rooms at pharmacies provide the discretion to choose sexual care from a trusted, knowledgeable health care provider. health services,” Dr. Kelly said. “The PbSHS model has been shown to improve access to care, is favored by patients, is cost-effective, and can find new diagnoses and treatments for STBBI, connecting people to physician care as needed.”
Researchers are currently leading a study of pharmacy-based testing for HIV, hepatitis C and syphilis in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Alberta.
For more information about the study, including participating pharmacies, visit the website.
Integrate into existing systems
Dr. Kelly’s grant co-lead Dr. Kyle Wilby leads a pharmacist-led HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis program in Nova Scotia; other team members are involved in pharmacy-based HIV testing, prevention and STBBI treatment research .
However, there are no plans for how to maintain these services once these PbSHS projects are completed.
That’s where Dr. Kelly’s project comes into play.
The CIHR grant will fund the project’s plans to integrate the PbSHS model into existing healthcare systems.
“We have a record in Canada of doing very good research, but that research often doesn’t translate into meaningful change,” Dr. Kelly said. “This funding opportunity is really exciting as it will enable us to work with partners in policy and regulatory roles as well as pharmacy owners, pharmacists and other healthcare providers, the community and most importantly the users of care. system to support the widespread implementation and sustainability of the PbSHS model across Canadian provinces.”
The project will be conducted in three phases based on a framework for implementing evidence-based interventions in the healthcare system.
“This will help Canadians live healthy lives and reduce the spread of new infections while supporting an overburdened health-care system.”
Phase 1 includes several projects involving public and stakeholder engagement to assess system readiness, conditions and adaptability required for successful scale-up in the Atlantic region and Alberta.
The second phase involves developing resource tools to support the extension. Stakeholder feedback will be sought to review tools and scale-up plans.
national and international importance
Through raising public awareness, legitimizing and activating change, and building capacity, the third phase strives to create a ready environment for the expansion of the PbSHS model for its long-term implementation into the current healthcare system.
The project team has collaborated with public partners who have received investment and will ensure this is done in a way that improves access to care, enhances the healthcare experience and meets patient needs.
The potential impact of this research is of national and international importance as the PbSHS model contributes to the public health goals of reducing STBBI and connecting patients to health care and treatment.
“Through this work, we hope to make it easier for many Canadians to access STBBI testing, prevention and treatment services through community pharmacies,” said Dr. Kelly. “This will help Canadians live healthy lives and reduce the spread of new infections while supporting an overburdened health care system to deliver services effectively and cost-effectively.”