Wessex AHSN Medicines
Optimisation Programme has been developing work on the complex issue of
polypharmacy since 2013. Initiatives delivered
by the AHSN to date include
·
the
development of the National Polypharmacy Prescribing Comparators available on
EPACT2
https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/epact2/epact2-dashboardsspecifications/medicines-optimisation-polypharmacy
·
workshops to
explore challenges and learning events to increase knowledge of what
polypharmacy is and how it can be addressed. http://wessexahsn.org.uk/projects/55/polypharmacy
· patient-facing activities such as the “Meet Mo” animations and implementation of the Me and My Medicines patient medication charter work originally developed in Leeds http://meandmymedicines.org.uk
Whilst progress in
Wessex to date is recognized as good, we also see that our ability to deliver
solutions to address problematic polypharmacy require a more formal, broad,
diverse and multidisciplinary forum.
What is a community of practice?
Definition: Communities of practice are groups of people who
share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it
better as they interact regularly.
The Domain: A community of practice is not merely a club or a network of connections between people. It has an identity defined by a shared domain of interest. Membership therefore implies a commitment to the domain, and therefore a shared competence that distinguishes members from other people
The Community: In pursuing their interest in their domain, members engage in joint activities and discussions, help each other, and share information. They build relationships that enable them to learn from each other; they care about their standing with each other.
The Practice: Members of a community of practice are practitioners. They develop a shared repertoire of resources: experiences, stories, tools, ways of addressing recurring problems—in short a shared practice. This takes time and sustained interaction.
It is the combination of these three elements that constitutes a community of practice. And it is by developing these three elements in parallel that a community is cultivated.
The next Wessex Polypharmacy Community of Practice will convene on 7th July 2022 12.00-14.00
Please use the eventbrite link below to register:
https://polypharmacyCOP.eventbrite.com
