Dr Karen Luetsch
Honorary Senior Lecturer
School of Pharmacy
Researcher biography
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.
Journal Articles
Halimi, Syafiqah Nadiah, Rowett, Debra and Luetsch, Karen (2024). A realist review of programs fostering the resilience of healthcare students: what works, for whom and why?. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 21 (1), 22-31. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.10.006
Halimi, Syafiqah Nadiah, Mirzaei, Ardalan, Rowett, Debra and Karen Luetsch, (2024). An investigation of academic resilience, resilience, and empathy in pharmacy students: Implications for pharmacy education. Pharmacy Education, 24 (1), 226-237. doi: 10.46542/pe.2024.241.226237
Wang, Chih Yuan, Clavarino, Alexandra and Luetsch, Karen (2024). Opportunities and achievements — experiences of pharmacists as Foundation Residency Program residents — a qualitative study. Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research, 54 (2), 170-178. doi: 10.1002/jppr.1903
Borg, Samantha J., Cameron, Cate M., Luetsch, Karen, Rolley, Adam, Geraghty, Timothy, McPhail, Steven and McCreanor, Victoria (2024). Prevalence of opioid use in adults with spinal cord injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print), 1-19. doi: 10.1080/10790268.2024.2319384
Halimi, Syafiqah Nadiah, Mirzaei, Ardalan, Rowett, Debra, Whitfield, Karen and Luetsch, Karen (2023). Resilience and empathy in pharmacy interns: Insights from a three-year cohort study. Exploratory Research in Clinical and Social Pharmacy, 12 100333, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.rcsop.2023.100333
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 and Safety, 33 (1), 1-12. 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
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
Fernandez-Llimos, Fernando, Alili-Idrizi, Edita, Amin, Mohamed E., Austin, Zubin, Billups, Sarah J., Cavaco, Afonso M., Collins, Jack C., Eserian, Jaqueline K., Hermansyah, Andi, Janke, Kristin K., Jarrett, Jennie B., Salameh, Pascale, Stupans, Ieva, Abdel-Qader, Derar H., Abunaser, Dania, Adisa, Rasaq, Akande-Sholabi, Wuraola, Al-Azayzih, Ahmad, Alemayehu, Selamawit, Alzubaidi, Hamzah T., Aponte-González, Johanna, Arnall, Justin R., Bajorek, Beata, Balayssac, David, Bardet, Jean-Didier, Barnard, Marie, Barnett, Susanne, Basheti, Iman A., Benetoli, Arcelio ... Zimmerman, Kristin (2021). Authors, peer reviewers, and readers: What is expected from each player in collaborative publishing?. Pharmacy Practice, 19 (1) 2284, 1-6. doi: 10.18549/PharmPract.2021.1.2284
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
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
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
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.
Luetsch, Karen and Hennig, Stefanie (2019). Mein Laborwert ist nicht 'normal'! Chancen und Grenzen eines Monitoring. Deutsche Apotheker Zeitung, 659 (8), 57-59.
Luetsch, Karen (2019). Was ein Screening leisten kann. Deutsche Apotheker Zeitung, 159 (14).
Luetsch, Karen and Hennig, Stefanie (2019). How accurate is the test?: The right test at the right time Wie genau ist der Test?. Deutsche Apotheker Zeitung, 159 (11).
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.
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
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 Hennig, Stefanie (2018). Pharmacy down under: With clinical pharmacy and patient orientation optimistic in the future. Deutsche Apotheker Zeitung, 158 (8).
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
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
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)
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
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
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.
Conference Papers
Luetsch, Karen and Rowett, Debra (2023). An introduction to realist research. International Social Pharmacy Workshop 2022, Sydney, NSW Australia, 11-14 July 2022. Philadelphia, PA United States: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2023.04.111
Halimi, Syafiqah Nadiah, Luetsch, Karen, Whitfield, Karen and Rowett, Debra (2023). An exploration of resilience with early career pharmacists: a qualitative study. 2022 International Social Pharmacy Workshop, Online, 11-14 July 2022. Philadelphia, PA, United States: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2023.04.004
Luetsch, Karen and Rowett, Debra (2023). AN INTRODUCTION TO REALIST RESEARCH. NEW YORK: ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC.
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 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 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 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
Luetsch, Karen (2017). Pharmacists' personality traits-barriers to practice change?. International Social Pharmacy Workshop, Aberdeen, Scotland, 19-22 July 2016.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.