Rural and remote pharmacists’ perspectives of grey nomads with diabetes travelling in Australia

Objective: The objective of the research was to explore rural and remote pharmacists’ experiences of encountering grey nomads with diabetes. 

Design: A qualitative Interpretive Description design was used to explore and capture the experiences of rural and remote pharmacists interacting with grey nomads who had diabetes. Data from the interviews were analysed thematically. 

Setting: The Pharmacy Guild of Australia was approached and through their membership rural and remote pharmacists were invited to participate in the research. 

Participants: Nine rural and remote pharmacists who had encounters and provided services to grey nomads with diabetes responded to be interviewed. Results: The analysed findings established four major themes including: the influence of rural and remote locations on services; common problems encountered by the pharmacists; preparation for travel by grey nomads with diabetes; and pharmacists’ preparedness to support grey nomads with diabetes. 

Conclusion: The findings of this study identified that pharmacists needed remuneration for services provided to grey nomads with diabetes. Also, further development of the My Health record and telehealth to include pharmacists would be advantageous for grey nomads who have diabetes. Pharmacists stated there was a need for further education and a continuing professional development module specifically designed for pharmacists on diabetes self-management that moved beyond medications. A pre-travel checklist for grey nomads with diabetes travelling in rural and remote Australia would benefit all stakeholders through better preparation of travellers with diabetes to self-manage, thereby reducing the demand for health services including pharmacies.