AUSTRALIAN PHARMACY WORKFORCE PREFERENCES AND SATISFACTION

This thesis explores several aspects of the Australian pharmacist workforce to support better integration and possible role expansion of community pharmacists in primary care. Firstly, it investigates the reasons why community pharmacists have not been better integrated into the Australian primary healthcare system to date. The preferences of community pharmacists for an expanded role in primary care are then explored, alongside policy implications of employment decisions, such as the likely effect on the geographic distribution of the workforce. As part of this analysis, a less burdensome way of asking about employment preferences is trialled. Lastly, the thesis explores the relationship between different roles in pharmacy and job satisfaction.