Posted 27 May, 2018
Quit Victoria and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia(PSA) are launching a new free training session for pharmacists in Victoria to help their patients quit smoking.
The workshops will be held across metro and regional Victoria between June and September and will equip pharmacists with the latest evidence-based approach to smoking cessation care.
“We are excited to collaborate with Quit Victoria, experts in smoking cessation, to help people across Victoria fight the deadly habit”, said PSA Victorian Branch President Ben Marchant.
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in Victoria, and 80% of smokers report wanting to kick their deadly addiction. However, fewer than one in five use therapies that have been proven to help people quit.
“Pharmacists are highly respected in the community and could play an even bigger role in helping smokers to quit,” said Quit Victoria Director Dr Sarah White.
This training will equip pharmacists to provide a 3-stage brief intervention (Ask, Advise, Help) for smoking cessation, to advise on pharmacotherapy use and to refer to, and work with, Quitline for intensive behavioural support.
“This training will provide pharmacists with the most up-to-date methods of brief intervention to offer holistic support to their customers throughout their quit journey.” said Ben Marchant.
Following completion of the workshops, pharmacists can gain Group 2 CPD credits for taking part with the opportunity to receive Group 3 CPD credits for implementing practice change. They will also receive a suite of resources designed by Quit and PSA to help their patients through the quitting process.
More information and registration for the courses is available through Eventbrite: quit.org.au/pharmacist-training
Training dates and locations:
3 June Clayton Monash Medical Centre, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton
17 June Doncaster Beau Monde International, 934 Doncaster Road, Doncaster
24 June Frankston Functions by the Bay, Cnr Plowman Place & Young Street, Frankston
22 July Werribee The Plaza Tavern,Werribee,Cnr Heaths & Derrimumt Rds,Hoppers Crossing
5 Aug Shepparton Parklake Hotel, 481 Wyndham Street, Shepparton
12 Aug Bass Coast Silverwater Resort, 17 Potters Hill Road, San Remo
26 Aug Bendigo All Seasons Bendigo, 171-183 McIvor Road, Bendigo
9 Sept Ballarat Mercure Hotel, 613 Main Street, Ballarat
16 Sept Geelong Novotel Hotel, 10-14 Eastern Beach Road, Geelong
PSA is the peak national professional pharmacy organisation representing Australia’s 30,000 pharmacists working in all sectors and across all locations.
Quit Victoria is a partnership between VicHealth, the State Government of Victoria, Cancer Council Victoria and the Heart Foundation.
Quitline is a confidential telephone service that can offer you advice and information to help people quit smoking.
About the survey: In January 2018, Quit Victoria asked 58 Victorian pharmacists about their attitudes, perceptions and behaviours towards discussing quitting smoking with customers via an online survey.