UK Patient Health Information Specialist to Headline Pharmacy Connect

UK based Pharmacist and Director of MD Healthcare (UK), Mark Duman has been announced as the keynote speaker at Pharmacy Connect to be held from 9- 11 September in Sydney.

Mark is a non-executive director of the Patient Information Forum which is the UK organisation for people working in consumer health information, and provides information for patients and the public about their health and wellbeing.

Conference Convenor Kos Sclavos said that Mark is a rare blend of clinician, management consultant and patient advocate who works with organisations to develop deeper relationships with their patients, creating loyal and educated customers.

“Clear communication to the patient is key in the health sector and Mark’s specialty is improving strategy and care pathways through better clinician and patient engagement. He will provide conference delegates insight to the use of high quality information for patients to encourage shared decision making with their health professionals,” Mr Sclavos said.

“For our pharmaceutical sector more specifically, medicine adherence is a topic that the entire pharmaceutical industry, and many patients, struggle with. Community pharmacists are ideally placed to support patients with this, as well as broader disease and wellness management, by better connecting with our patients.

“As community pharmacy continues to evolve, it is more important than ever before to transition the role of a community pharmacist from a ‘supply’ function to a ‘service’ function, whereby we actively educate our patients on the full benefits of their medicines.

“Mark will highlight that by providing more information and insight to our patients, we can create positive, lasting and loyal customer relationships,” Mr Sclavos said.

In addition to a plenary session on Friday 9 September, Mark will also present a more in-depth ‘Pharmacy Master Class: Communication Essentials – Creating a Personalised Health Service’ with Michael Greco on Sunday 11 September (9.30am to 1.00pm).

Michael Greco is a founding Director and Chief Executive of Patient Opinion Australia, Executive Director of CEEP Surveys, which provides survey tools for organisational and clinician professional development, and Board Director of CheckUP Australia, Health Leaders Australia and Change Day Australia.

“A unique feature of the Pharmacy Connect program are the ‘Master Class’ sessions, where delegates will be able to gain an thorough understanding of transformative pharmacy topics.

“This session will explore key issues such as health literacy, medicines beliefs, health beliefs, ethnicity and patient motivation. By understanding these issues, pharmacists can improve their interactions and deliver better practice to improve overall health outcomes,” Mr Sclavos said.

Pharmacy Connect is hosted by The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, New South Wales Branch and will be held in Sydney on 9-11 September at the newly refurbished Four Points by Sheraton Sydney, Darling Harbour. Registrations are available online at: www.pharmacyconnect.com.au

For sponsorship and exhibition opportunities, please contact the Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s Queensland Branch Events Division on 07 3831 3788 or events@qldguild.org.au for more information.

For more information, please contact: The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Events Division on: (07) 3831 3788 or events@qldguild.org.au