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. 2022 Feb 8;15(1):11.
doi: 10.1186/s13047-022-00515-w.

Australian podiatrists scheduled medicine prescribing practices and barriers and facilitators to endorsement: a cross-sectional survey

Kristin Graham  1 , Lisa Matricciani  2   3 , Helen Banwell  2 , Saravana Kumar  2 , Ryan Causby  2 , Saraid Martin  2 , Lisa Nissen  4
Affiliations

Australian podiatrists scheduled medicine prescribing practices and barriers and facilitators to endorsement: a cross-sectional survey

Kristin Graham et al. J Foot Ankle Res. .

Abstract

Background: Non-medical prescribing is one healthcare reform strategy that has the potential to create health system savings and offer equitable and timely access to scheduled medicines. Podiatrists are well positioned to create health system efficiencies through prescribing, however, only a small proportion of Australian podiatrists are endorsed to prescribe scheduled medicines. Since scheduled medicines prescribed by Australian podiatrists are not subsidised by the Government, there is a lack of data available on the prescribing practices of Australian podiatrists. The aim of this research was to investigate the prescribing practices among Australian podiatrists and to explore barriers and facilitators that influence participation in endorsement.

Methods: Participants in this quantitative, cross-sectional study were registered and practicing Australian podiatrists who were recruited through a combination of professional networks, social media, and personal contacts. Respondents were invited to complete a customised self-reported online survey, developed using previously published research, research team's expertise, and was piloted with podiatrists. The survey contained three sections: demographic data including clinical experience, questions pertaining to prescribing practices, and barriers and facilitators of the endorsement pathway.

Results: Respondents (n = 225) were predominantly female, aged 25-45, working in the private sector. Approximately one quarter were endorsed (15%) or in training to become endorsed (11%). Of the 168 non-endorsed respondents, 66% reported that they would like to undertake training to become an endorsed prescriber. The most common indications reported for prescribing or recommending medications include nail surgery (71%), foot infections 474 (88%), post-operative pain (67%), and mycosis (95%). The most recommended Schedule 2 medications were ibuprofen, paracetamol, and topical terbinafine. The most prescribed Schedule 4 medicines among endorsed podiatrists included lignocaine (84%), cephalexin (68%), flucloxacillin (68%), and amoxicillin with clavulanic acid (61%).

Conclusion: Podiatrists predominantly prescribe scheduled medicines to assist pain, inflammatory, or infectious conditions. Only a small proportion of scheduled medicines available for prescription by podiatrists with endorsed status were reportedly prescribed. Many barriers exist in the current endorsement for podiatrists, particularly related to training processes, including mentor access and supervised practice opportunities. Suggestions to address these barriers require targeted enabling strategies.

Keywords: Endorsement for scheduled medicine; Podiatry; Prescribing.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Frequency of medication class prescribed/recommended over the last twelve months according to endorsement status Note: (E) Endorsed (NE) Non-endorsed (I) In-training (undertaking the process to gain endorsement)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Schedule 2 and 3 medicines, and local anaesthetic prescription/recommendation by podiatrists over the last 12 months, by endorsement status. Note: topical preparations are denoted by (T) and oral preparations are denoted by (O), In-training = undertaking the process to gain endorsement
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Factors perceived to be important when deciding to undertake endorsement, by endorsement status
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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