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Busy PhD student Kim Watkins may describe herself as a ‘garden variety' pharmacist but she has been given a five-star rating by her peers.

Kim, who lectures and tutors in the School of Medicine and Pharmacology, was recently named the Five Star Role Model Pharmacist by the Pharmaceutical Society of Western Australia.

The prestigious award is given to a PSWA member who is inspirational to other pharmacists.

Subiaco-based Kim and her husband Steve Lewis have owned and run the High Wycombe Pharmacy for 12 years and regularly welcome UWA students on clinical placements.

Kim's award - presented by President of the PSWA, John Harvey, at a special dinner - recognises her determination to ensure that pharmacists are seen as more than just "retailers and shop-keepers".

"I think the important role that pharmacists play is under-utilised and undervalued in the health system," she said.

"Over the years, while teaching and mentoring young pharmacists, I've tried to inspire them to do better - to be health professionals who can empower people to take control of their own wellbeing.

"As pharmacists, we want to make sure we maximise the benefits of medication while minimising the negative consequences," she said.

"It's important that we help people get on with living life to the fullest."

For her PhD, Kim is researching how to optimise clinical guidelines to ensure best practice by pharmacists - and improved health for patients. She is particularly interested in the management of asthma and has completed seven focus groups with pharmacists and other health professionals and is currently in the process of interviewing 300 people with asthma.

"Asthma patients come to the attention of health professionals when they're in hospital but I've been talking to people who are managing their condition day by day in the community."

Kim said Australia had a high prevalence rate of asthma compared to other countries and more than two million Australians currently suffered from the condition.  Asthma is also associated with a poorer quality of life.

"My PhD hypothesis is that successful implementation of pharmacists' clinical guidelines will lead to appropriate assessment and timely referral of ‘at risk' patients with asthma so that they can receive best practice management. In doing this we hope that most patients can live a normal and active life, free of symptoms," she said.

Kim's supervisor, Professor Rhonda Clifford, Director of the Division of Pharmacy in the School, said Kim's award was exciting.

"Kim really is an amazing PhD candidate," Professor Clifford said.

If you would like to be part of Kim's study - either as a health professional or a person living with asthma - contact her on [email protected]

By Sally-Ann Jones

Published in UWA News , April 2013