Working from home

1

Home Alone Lessons shared by an MI pharmacist
working from home Kate Pickett, Medicines QA
Pharmacist, Wessex Drug and Medicines
Information Centre
Introduction The UKMi Medicines QA database was
established in 2002. The aim of this national
project is to provide a high quality, regularly
updated database of evidence-based answers to
frequently asked questions about medicines for
the NHS. With the introduction of the Improving
Working Lives initiative1, the development of
electronic information sources and the increasing
use of electronic transmission of data, it was
suggested that answers to Medicines QAs could be
researched and the literature critically
evaluated from home. In addition, co-ordination
of the Medicines QA scheme within the UKMi
network is also possible from home.

• Considerations
• Availability and funding of IT equipment and
  support
• Access to information sources
• Maintenance of colleague contact, support and
  networking
• Variety of work
• Personal style of working, self-motivation and
  time management

• Advantages
• Higher level of productivity
• Ability to manage your own workload
• Fewer interruptions or distractions while
• completing detailed answers to complex
• questions
• Improved work/life balance
• Geographical freedom to live at a distance
• from workplace
• Environmentally friendly no commuting!

• Disadvantages
• Professional isolation
• Lack of direct colleague contact
• Temptation to check emails out-of-hours!

Working from home as a Medicines QA pharmacist

• Work/life balance
• Supported by the Improving Working Lives
  initiative1
• 85 of companies have a homeworking policy2
• gt 8 million people work part of their week from
  home2

• The future
• Further expansion of the Medicines QA scheme
• Answering non-urgent, complex MI enquiries using
  MI Databank from home

• And homeworkers dont
• Work in their pyjamas!
• Watch daytime TV!
• Sit in the garden!

•  
• Some points to think about when working from
  home, some of which may need funding
•  
• Develop a clearly timetabled work programme that
  is reviewed regularly with your manager.
• Ensure people know how and when to contact you.
• Check to see what NHS and MI software/databases
  you can use at home. Check to see what is free
  and that your use is compatible with the licence.
• Liaise with the hospital library about the
  appropriate mechanism for you requesting, and
  them supplying, references to your home address.
• Ensure that when you email people they know you
  are not based on NHS premises and they should not
  send you confidential material. Include a warning
  in your email sign off.
• Have clear arrangements with your manager about
  what will be paid for (e.g. broadband charges,
  printer ink, stamps, anti-virus software, when
  you can claim for travel).
• Buy reputable virus software (e.g. Symantec) and
  keep it up-to-date. Scan your whole system
  regularly.
• Ensure that all vital information on your PC is
  backed up regularly.
• Set up an email account for work which is
  separate to your personal email address.
• Tips to reduce isolation
• Try and establish a regular slot to phone your
  manager, so you can save up issues to address
• Ensure you are included in relevant peoples
  email distribution lists
• Visit the workplace regularly (e.g. monthly) and
  book the dates well in advance so that people
  know when to expect you
• Establish email networks with relevant people
• Be aware of training opportunities
• Attend work social functions.

• References
• Improving Working Lives Standard. www.dh.gov.uk
• www.enterprisenation.com