Karen Luetsch's research interests focus on pharmacy and health professional education, pharmacists' attitudes and behaviours in practice and realist research in these settings. In addition patient-centred and interprofessional communication and practice are some of her past and current research topics. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Karen completed her undergraduate pharmacy training and PhD in Germany before moving to Australia in 1995. Karen has a background in hospital pharmacy as specialist pharmacist and manager as well as in the design, management and delivery of educational initiatives to health professionals across all health care settings.
As a senior research fellow at the University of South Australia Karen is undertaking a realist review and evaluation of a major educational programme targeted at optimising the utilisation of bDMARDs in auto-immune diseases.
The findings of a realist synthesis on medication reviews by pharmacists is influencing practice and policy.
Journal Article: An exploration of resilience with early career pharmacists: a qualitative study
Halimi, Syafiqah Nadiah, Luetsch, Karen, Whitfield, Karen and Rowett, Debra (2023). An exploration of resilience with early career pharmacists: a qualitative study. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 19 (7), 1-2. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2023.04.004
Journal Article: An introduction to realist research
Luetsch, Karen and Rowett, Debra (2023). An introduction to realist research. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 19 (7), 41-42. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2023.04.111
Luetsch, Karen, Wong, Geoff and Rowett, Debra (2023). A realist synthesis of educational outreach visiting and integrated academic detailing to influence prescribing in ambulatory care: why relationships and dialogue matter. BMJ Quality & Safety, bmjqs-2022. doi: 10.1136/bmjqs-2022-015498
Exploring the development of professional and clinical maturity by pharmacists undertaking a residency program
Doctor Philosophy
Exploration of resilience in pharmacy students and pharmacists
Doctor Philosophy
A realist review and evaluation of entrustable professional activities (EPA)
This project will use realist approaches to reseraching why, for whom and under which circumstances EPAs advance pharmacy students' learning and practice development.
Use and utility of electronic patient records in pharmacy practice
This research project will investigate how pharmacists access and utilise electronic patient records, e.g. the Myhealthrecord
Transitions from clinician to manager and leader
This project will explore how clinicians make the transition to managers or leaders within health care.
An exploration of resilience with early career pharmacists: a qualitative study
Halimi, Syafiqah Nadiah, Luetsch, Karen, Whitfield, Karen and Rowett, Debra (2023). An exploration of resilience with early career pharmacists: a qualitative study. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 19 (7), 1-2. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2023.04.004
An introduction to realist research
Luetsch, Karen and Rowett, Debra (2023). An introduction to realist research. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 19 (7), 41-42. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2023.04.111
Luetsch, Karen, Wong, Geoff and Rowett, Debra (2023). A realist synthesis of educational outreach visiting and integrated academic detailing to influence prescribing in ambulatory care: why relationships and dialogue matter. BMJ Quality & Safety, bmjqs-2022. doi: 10.1136/bmjqs-2022-015498
Halimi, Syafiqah Nadiah, Rowett, Debra, Whitfield, Karen and Luetsch, Karen (2023). How early career pharmacists understand resilience – A qualitative study of experiences, challenges and strategies. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 19 (3), 486-494. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2022.10.012
Wang, Chih Yuan, Clavarino, Alexandra, Winckel, Karl, Stacey, Sonya and Luetsch, Karen (2022). Learning on the run - a qualitative, longitudinal study of pharmacy educators' experiences implementing a hospital pharmacy residency program. BMC Medical Education, 22 (1) 430, 430. doi: 10.1186/s12909-022-03497-2
Wang, Chih Yuan, Clavarino, Alexandra and Luetsch, Karen (2021). The implementation of a pharmacy residency program – a qualitative study on the diffusion of an innovation. Exploratory Research in Clinical and Social Pharmacy, 3 100048, 100048. doi: 10.1016/j.rcsop.2021.100048
Realist research to inform pharmacy practice and policy
Luetsch, Karen, Maidment, Ian, Twigg, Michael and Rowett, Debra (2021). Realist research to inform pharmacy practice and policy. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 17 (12), 2075-2081. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2021.06.026
Luetsch, Karen, Rowett, Debra and Twigg, Michael J (2020). A realist synthesis of pharmacist-conducted medication reviews in primary care after leaving hospital: what works for whom and why?. BMJ Quality and Safety, 30 (5) 011418, bmjqs-2020. doi: 10.1136/bmjqs-2020-011418
Standards in medication review: an international perspective
Rose, Olaf, Cheong, V-Lin, Dhaliwall, Sammu, Erzkamp, Susanne, Eislage, Karen, Jorgenson, Derek, Martínez, Francisco and Luetsch, Karen (2020). Standards in medication review: an international perspective. Canadian Pharmacists Journal, 153 (4), 215-223. doi: 10.1177/1715163520929665
Sedrak, Antoine , Glewis, Sarah, Alexander, Marliese, Lingaratnam, Mr Senthil, Chiang, Cherie and Luetsch, Karen (2020). Cancer patients’ perspectives on participating in a community pharmacy-based hyperglycaemia screening service – A qualitative exploration of enablers and barriers. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 17 (3), 613-618. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.05.023
Experiences of medical dominance in pharmacist-doctor interactions - an elephant in the room?
Luetsch, Karen and Scuderi, Carla (2019). Experiences of medical dominance in pharmacist-doctor interactions - an elephant in the room?. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 16 (9), 1177-1182. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2019.12.013
Haider, Ibrahim and Luetsch, Karen (2019). Pharmacists' advice and clinical reasoning in relation to cardiovascular disease risk factors - a vignette case study. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 16 (4), 568-573. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2019.08.006
Luetsch, Karen, Twigg, Michael, Rowett, Debra and Wong, Geoff (2019). In search for gold - The relevance of realist reviews and evaluations to pharmacy research and policy development. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 16 (6), 836-839. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2019.07.002
Qudah, Bonyan and Luetsch, Karen (2019). The influence of mobile health applications on patient - healthcare provider relationships: a systematic, narrative review. Patient Education and Counseling, 102 (6), 1080-1089. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2019.01.021
Was ein Screening leisten kann
Luetsch, Karen and Hennig, Stefanie (2019). Was ein Screening leisten kann. Deutsche Apotheker Zeitung, 159 (14), 56-59.
Luetsch, Karen and Hennig, Stefanie (2019). Wie genau ist der Test?. Deutsche Apotheker Zeitung, 659 (11), 46-48.
Mein Laborwert ist nicht 'normal'! Chancen und Grenzen eines Monitoring
Luetsch, Karen and Hennig, Stefanie (2019). Mein Laborwert ist nicht 'normal'! Chancen und Grenzen eines Monitoring. Deutsche Apotheker Zeitung, 659 (8), 57-59.
Was ein Screening leisten kann
Luetsch, Karen (2019). Was ein Screening leisten kann. Deutsche Apotheker Zeitung, 159 (14).
Luetsch, Karen (2018). From enforcement to advocacy - developing a Foucauldian perspective of pharmacists' reflections on interactions with complex patients. Research in Social & Administrative Pharmacy, 15 (5), 528-535. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2018.06.020
Luetsch, Karen and Hennig, Stefanie (2018). Pharmazie Down Under: Mit Klinischer Pharmazie und Patienten-Orientierung optimistisch in die Zukunft. Deutsche Apotheker Zeitung, 158 (8), 58-63.
Doctor–pharmacist communication in hospitals: strategies, perceptions, limitations and opportunities
Coomber, Peter, Clavarino, Alexandra, Ballard, Emma and Luetsch, Karen (2018). Doctor–pharmacist communication in hospitals: strategies, perceptions, limitations and opportunities. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy, 40 (2), 1-10. doi: 10.1007/s11096-018-0592-1
Pharmacy down under: With clinical pharmacy and patient orientation optimistic in the future
Luetsch, Karen and Hennig, Stefanie (2018). Pharmacy down under: With clinical pharmacy and patient orientation optimistic in the future. Deutsche Apotheker Zeitung, 158 (8).
Scholarly publishing depends on peer reviewers
Fernandez-Llimos, Fernando, Berti, Andrew D., Yeung, Denise, Yusuff, Kazeem B., El Zowalaty, Mohamed E., Adane, Eyob D., Al-Aqeel, Sinaa, Al-Jumaili, Ali Azeez, Alili-Idrizi, Edita, Andelkovic, Marija, Aranha, Anil, Arief, Mohammad, Arkaravichien, Wiwat, Armoiry, Xavier, Attarabeen, Omar F., Ayoub, Nehad, Bajorek, Beata V., Beninger, Paul, Billups, Sarah J., Bowen, Jane F., Bouwmeester, Carla, Campbell, Patrick, Chan, Vincent, Connor, Sharon E., Danziger, Larry H., Dawood, Omar T., Dunnenberger, Mark, Elrouby, Selwa, Fakih, Souhiela ... Zembles, Tracy (2018). Scholarly publishing depends on peer reviewers. Pharmacy Practice, 16 (1) 1236, 1236-1236. doi: 10.18549/PharmPract.2018.01.1236
Luetsch, Karen and Burrows, Judith (2017). From transitions to transformation - a study of pharmacists developing patient-centered communication skills. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 14 (7), 686-694. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2017.08.003
Sedrak, Antoine, Anpalahan, Mahesan and Luetsch, Karen (2017). Enablers and barriers to the use of antibiotic guidelines in the assessment and treatment of community acquired pneumonia – a qualitative study of clinicians’ perspectives. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 71 (6) e12959, e12959. doi: 10.1111/ijcp.12959
Anderson, Kristen, Foster, Michele, Freeman, Christopher, Luetsch, Karen and Scott, Ian (2017). Negotiating “unmeasurable harm and benefit” perspectives of general practitioners and consultant pharmacists on deprescribing in the primary care setting. Qualitative Health Research, 27 (13), 1-12. doi: 10.1177/1049732316687732
Luetsch, Karen and Burrows, Judith (2016). Certainty rating in pre-and post-tests of study modules in an online clinical pharmacy course - a pilot study to evaluate teaching and learning. BMC Medical Education, 16 (1) 267, 267. doi: 10.1186/s12909-016-0783-1
Luetsch, Karen (2016). Attitudes and attributes of pharmacists in relation to practice change - a scoping review and discussion. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 13 (3), 440-455.e11. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2016.06.010
Luetsch, Karen, Rowett, Debra and Punchard, Howard (2016). The sweet spot for pharmacy. Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research, 46 (2), 107-111. doi: 10.1002/jppr.1204
Luetsch, Karen and Rowett, Debra (2016). Developing interprofessional communication skills for pharmacists to improve their ability to collaborate with other professions. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 30 (4), 458-465. doi: 10.3109/13561820.2016.1154021
Interprofessional communication training: benefits to practicing pharmacists
Luetsch, Karen and Rowett, Debra (2015). Interprofessional communication training: benefits to practicing pharmacists. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy, 37 (5), 857-864. doi: 10.1007/s11096-015-0130-3
A national study into the rural and remote pharmacist workforce
Smith, J. D., White, C., Roufeil, L., Veitch, C., Pont, L., Patel, B., Battye, K., Luetsch, K. and Mitchell, C. (2013). A national study into the rural and remote pharmacist workforce. Rural and Remote Health, 13 (Article 2214), 1-11.
Luetsch, Karen and Burrows, Judy (2012). Pharmacists for the future. Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research, 42 (3)
What does the rural pharmacist workforce look like?
Smith, Janie D., White, Col, Luetsch, Karen, Roufiel, Louise, Battye, Kristine and Pont, Lisa (2011). What does the rural pharmacist workforce look like?. Australian Pharmacist, 30 (12), 1037-1039.
Heredeis, C. and Luetsch, K. (2010). ChemInform abstract: enantiopure DAVA-Derivatives. Part 3. synthesis of all four stereoisomers of 2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-aminopentanoic acid (2-Me-4-OH- DAVA). ChemInform, 24 (21), no-no. doi: 10.1002/chin.199321216
Heredeis, C., Luetsch, K. and Waibel, D. (1994). ChemInform abstract: amino acids. Part 15. synthesis of enantiopure DAVA-derivatives (5- amino-4-hydroxypentanoic acids) from (S)-glutamic acid. ChemInform, 25 (16), no-no. doi: 10.1002/chin.199416243
Synthese enantiomerenreiner DAVA-Derivate (5-Amino-4-hydroxypentansäuren) aus S-Glutaminsäure
Herdeis, Claus, Luetsch, Karen and Waibel, Dagmar (1994). Synthese enantiomerenreiner DAVA-Derivate (5-Amino-4-hydroxypentansäuren) aus S-Glutaminsäure. Archiv der Pharmazie, 327 (1), 41-47. doi: 10.1002/ardp.19943270108
Herdeis, Claus and Luetsch, Karen (1993). Enantiopure DAVA-derivatives. Part III. Synthesis of all 4 stereoisomers of 2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-aminopentanoic acid. Tetrahedron Asymmetry, 4 (1), 121-131. doi: 10.1016/S0957-4166(00)86022-X
Halbruegge, T., Luetsch, K., Thyen, A. and Graefe, K. H. (1991). Role of nitric oxide formation in the down regulation of haemodynamics and the release of noradrenaline and adrenaline. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology, 344 (6), 720-727. doi: 10.1007/BF00174757
Vasodilatation by endothelium-derived nitric oxide as a major determinant for noradrenaline release.
Halbruegge, T., Luetsch, K., Thyen, A. and Graefe, K. H. (1991). Vasodilatation by endothelium-derived nitric oxide as a major determinant for noradrenaline release.. Journal of Neural Transmission, Supplement, 34, 113-119.
Luetsch, Karen, Rowett, Debra and Twigg, Michael (2019). A realist review of medication reviews by primary care pharmacists for patients discharged from hospital to the community. APSA Conference, Melbourne, Australia, 1-4 December 2019.
Luetsch, Karen and Haider, Ibrahim (2019). Are we getting the big picture? Pharmacists’ understanding of risk factors and absolute risk in screening and monitoring. Monash Pharmacy Education Symposium, Prato, Italy, 7-10 July 2019.
Luetsch, Karen and Scuderi, Carla (2019). Whose turf is it anyway? Pharmacists’ perceptions of medical dominance – effects on role and behaviour. Medicines Management, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 14-16 November 2019.
Luetsch, Karen and Qudah, Bonyan (2018). The impact of mHealth applications on patient - health care provider relationships - findings from a scoping review. International Social Pharmacy Workshop (ISPW) 2018 , Leuven, Belgium, 23–26 July 2018. Philadelphia, PA, United States: Elsevier . doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2018.05.098
Development of interprofessional communication skills for collaborative practice
Luetsch, Karen (2017). Development of interprofessional communication skills for collaborative practice. APSA-ASCEPT 2017 Joint Scientific Meeting, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, 5-8 December 2017.
Luetsch, Karen and Burrows, Judith (2017). From Transitions to Transformation - Pharmacists perceptions of developing patient-centred communication skills. Monash Pharmacy Education Symposium, Prato Monash Centre, Italy, 9-12 July 2017.
McGuire, T. M., Burrows, J. B. and Luetsch, K. (2017). Future proofing our profession: How does postgraduate study in clinical pharmacy change pharmacists' perceptions of their role and practice?. Monash Pharmacy Education Symposium, Prato Monash Centre, Tuscany Italy, 9-12 July 2017.
Pharmacists' personality traits-barriers to practice change?
Luetsch, Karen (2017). Pharmacists' personality traits-barriers to practice change?. International Social Pharmacy Workshop, Aberdeen, Scotland, 19-22 July 2016.
Luetsch, Karen and Rowett, Debra (2016). Increasing pharmacists’ capabilities for collaboration in health care teams through successful interprofessional communication. Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association (APSA) and the Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists (ASCEPT) Joint Scientific Meeting, Hobart, TAS Australia, 29 November - 2 December 2015. Philadelphia, PA United States: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2016.05.068
Pharmacists’ attitudes towards practice change and role extension
Luetsch, Karen (2016). Pharmacists’ attitudes towards practice change and role extension. APSA Conference, Sydney, Australia, 2-5 December 2016.
Karen Luetsch and Debra Rowett (2015). Increasing pharmacists’capabilities to integrate into health care teams through successful interprofessional communication. APSA ASCEPT Joint Scientific Meeting 2015, Hobart, 28 November - 2 December 2015.
Burrows, Judith and Karen Luetsch (2012). ‘All in team challenge’ - A novel approach to promote and utilise the NPS Clinical audit tool in a Postgraduate Clinical Pharmacy Program (PGCPP). National Medicine Symposium 2012, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 24-25 May, 2012.
QUM presentations - do they change consumers' attitudes to and understanding of medicines?
Luetsch, Karen, Anderson, Kristen, Burrows, Judith and Walker, Lucy (2010). QUM presentations - do they change consumers' attitudes to and understanding of medicines?. National Medicine Symposium 2010, Melbourne, Australia, 26-28 May 2010.
A Collaborative Approach to Quality Use of Analgesic Medications on Rural and Remote Queensland
Luetsch, Karen, Lum, Elaine, Burrows, Judith, Hall, Tony and Rees, Karen (2008). A Collaborative Approach to Quality Use of Analgesic Medications on Rural and Remote Queensland. National Medicines Symposium (NMS 2008), Canberra, Australia, 6-9 July 2008.
Teleconferences for rural community pharmacists - a successful model for continuing education
Luetsch, Karen and Burrows, Judith Ann (2006). Teleconferences for rural community pharmacists - a successful model for continuing education. National Medicine Symposium 2006, Canberra, ACT, Australia, 7-9 June 2006.
Exploring the development of professional and clinical maturity by pharmacists undertaking a residency program
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Exploration of resilience in pharmacy students and pharmacists
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Note for students: The possible research projects listed on this page may not be comprehensive or up to date. Always feel free to contact the staff for more information, and also with your own research ideas.
A realist review and evaluation of entrustable professional activities (EPA)
This project will use realist approaches to reseraching why, for whom and under which circumstances EPAs advance pharmacy students' learning and practice development.
Use and utility of electronic patient records in pharmacy practice
This research project will investigate how pharmacists access and utilise electronic patient records, e.g. the Myhealthrecord
Transitions from clinician to manager and leader
This project will explore how clinicians make the transition to managers or leaders within health care.