Virtual TOCs pharmacist: A new model for safer transitions in rural Australia
| Saturday, May 30, 2026 |
| 11:30 AM - 11:45 AM |
| Ballroom |
Overview
Linda Krogh
Details
Synopsis
Transitions of care are a particularly high-risk period for medication-related harm in rural and remote communities, where access to timely review and coordinated follow-up is often limited. As part of the TIc TOc program in Western NSW, a Virtual Transitions-of-Care Pharmacist role was established to support patients at high risk of readmission following hospital discharge. This presentation will outline how the model works in practice, including the identification of high-risk patients, virtual medication reconciliation, multidisciplinary communication, and rapid coordination of Home Medicines Reviews (HMRs) through both GP- and hospital‑initiated pathways.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the structure and key functions of a Virtual Transitions-of-Care Pharmacist model in a rural setting
Competency Standards (2016): 1.6,2.1,3.6
Speaker
Linda Krogh
Virtual Transitions of Care Stewardship Pharmacist
Western NSW LHD
Virtual TOCs Pharmacist: A New Model for Safer Transitions in Rural Australia
Biography
Linda Krogh is the Virtual Transitions‑of‑Care Stewardship Pharmacist with the Western NSW Local Health District and a current PhD candidate with the University of Sydney. Having lived in rural areas throughout her life, Linda has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by patients and clinicians in geographically dispersed communities. She completed her pharmacy studies at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga and has since built a diverse career across community pharmacy, aged care, general practice, and independent consultancy, including extensive experience delivering Home Medicines Reviews.
Linda later transitioned into the public hospital system, where she expanded her skills in clinical governance, medication safety and multidisciplinary care. Her current role brings together the full breadth of her experience: providing virtual medication reconciliation, discharge counselling, and coordination of timely HMRs for high‑risk rural patients as part of the TIc TOc program. Linda works across 19 rural hospitals, supporting GPs, ACCHOs, community pharmacies and consultant pharmacists to address medication‑related risks during transitions of care.
With a strong interest in rural health equity, Linda is passionate about improving access to pharmacist‑led interventions in rural settings and strengthening continuity of care for patients at high risk of readmission.