Harkness Project Title: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches to Understanding Drug Policy
Biography at time of Harkness Fellowship: Neil J. MacKinnon, Ph.D., F.C.S.H.P., a 2007–08 Canadian Harkness Associate in Health Care Policy and Practice, is an associate professor and the Associate Director for Research in the College of Pharmacy at Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia. Dr. MacKinnon also has faculty appointments in Dalhousie's School of Health Services Administration and Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, and is also a member of the Canadian Patient Safety Institute's research and evaluation committee, a faculty member of the Safer Healthcare Now campaign (medication reconciliation initiative) and a member of the Medication Advisory Panel for a private third-party payer, Medavie Blue Cross. His primary research focus has been on the safety and quality of the medication-use system, and his current research interests include developing a brokerage function for linking Canadian researchers and decision makers in patient safety, and developing medication safety indicators. Dr. MacKinnon has co-authored over 35 peer-reviewed journal articles and edited two books. He holds a Ph.D. in pharmacy health care administration from the University of Florida, and a master's degree in hospital pharmacy from the University of Wisconsin.
Project: MacKinnon’s project aimed to determine the impact of drug policies in Canada on quality and safety. To do so, he undertook a systematic review of Canadian studies evaluating the effects of a drug policy. He also undertook a secondary project on how the Nova Scotia Pharmacare Program’s prior authorization process impacts clinicians’ daily practice. For this project, he conducted focus groups with physicians and pharmacists.
Career Activity Since Fellowship:
- Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Augusta University, 2021
- Professor and Dean, James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, 2013–2020
- Professor and Walter H. Pearce Endowed Chair/Director, Center for Rural Health, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, 2011–2012
Current Position (updated 05/2023):
- Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Augusta University
E-mail: [email protected]
Selected Publications:
Young HN, Larson TL, Cox ED, Moreno MA, Thorpe JM, Mackinnon NJ. The active patient role and asthma outcomes in an underserved rural community. J Rural Health. 2014 Apr;30(2):121-7.
Macdonald MT, Heilemann MV, Mackinnon NJ, Lang A, Gregory D, Gurnham ME, Fillatre T. Confirming delivery: understanding the role of the hospitalized patient in medication administration safety. Qual Health Res. 2014Apr;24(4):536-50.
Boyle TA, Bishop AC, Overmars C, Macmaster K, Mahaffey T, Zwicker B, Mackinnon NJ. Uptake of Quality-Related Event Standards of Practice by Community Pharmacies. J Pharm Pract. 2014 Feb 14.
Boyle TA, Bishop AC, Hillier C, Mahaffey T, Mackinnon NJ, Zwicker B. Regulatory Authority Approaches to Deploying Quality Improvement Standards to Community Pharmacies: Insights From the SafetyNET-RX Program. +-. 2014 Apr;27(2):138-49.
Edwards SJ, Abbott R, Edwards J, LeBlanc M, Dranitsaris G, Donnan J, Laing K, Whelan MA, MacKinnon NJ. Outcomes assessment of a pharmacist-directed seamless care program in an ambulatory oncology clinic. J Pharm Pract. 2014 Feb;27(1):46-52.
Neville HL, Chevalier B, Daley C, Nodwell L, Harding C, Hiltz A, Macdonald T, Skedgel C, Mackinnon NJ, Slayter K. Clinical benefits and economic impact of post-surgical care provided by pharmacists in a Canadian hospital. Int J Pharm Pract. 2013 Aug 18.
Boyle TA, Bishop AC, Mahaffey T, Mackinnon NJ, Ashcroft DM, Zwicker B, Reid C. Reflections on the role of the pharmacy regulatory authority in enhancing quality related event reporting in community pharmacies. Res Social Adm Pharm. 2014 Mar-Apr;10(2):387-97.
Haven K, Celaya MF, Pierson J, et al. Comparison of health confidence in rural, suburban and urban areas in the UK and the USA: a secondary analysis. BMJ Open 2013
Sears K, Scobie A, MacKinnon NJ. “Patient-related risk factors for self-reported medication errors in hospital and community settings in 8 countries.” Canadian Pharmacists Journal. March 2012, Vol 145, No. 2, 88-93.
O’Hagan J, MacKinnon NJ, Persaud D, Etchegary H. Self-Reported Medical Errors in Seven Countries: Implications for Canada. Healthcare Quarterly (Patient Safety Papers). 2009; 12: 55-61.
The Health Council of Canada (2009). The National Pharmaceuticals Strategy: A Prescription Unfilled. A Status Report. Toronto: Health Council.
Scobie A, MacKinnon NJ, Higgins S, Etchegary H, Church R. “The medical home in Canada: Patient perceptions of quality and safety.” Healthcare Management Forum/Gestion des soins de santé; Spring/printemps 2009: 47-51.
MacKinnon NJ, Ip I. "The National Pharmaceuticals Strategy: Rest in peace, revive or renew? (Commentary)" CMAJ.
MacKinnon N and Sanmartin C. “Middle of the health care pack: Canada’s performance in the 2007 Commonwealth Fund international survey.” Canadian Family Physician, July 2008; 54: 965-966.
Morrison A, MackKinnon NJ, Hartnell NR, and McCaffrey KJ. “Impact of drug plan management policies in Canada: A systematic review.” CPJ/RPC, November/December 2008; 141(6): 332-338.e2.