Dr Ramesh Lahiru Walpola
Senior Lecturer

Dr Ramesh Lahiru Walpola

Bachelor of Pharmacy (The University of Sydney) 

Doctor of Philosophy (The University of Sydney)

medicine-health
Sch of Public Health & Com Med

 Dr Ramesh Walpola is a pharmacist and Senior Lecturer in Health Management at the School of Population Health. His main area of research expertise and interest is in patient and medication safety, particularly examining the social determinants of safe practices. Ramesh completed his PhD at The University of Sydney in 2016, which focused on the development of educational interventions to enhance generational change in patient safety practices in the pharmacy setting. He was awarded the FIP Young Pharmacist Award for Professional Innovation in 2012 in recognition of the novelty of this work. Following his PhD, he worked in a number of clinical research roles, including a multi-centre deprescribing randomized controlled trial, development of inter-professional student-led clinics and a review of the junior undergraduate pharmacy practice curriculum at The University of Sydney. Ramesh’s current research spans a number of areas including patient and medication safety in primary, secondary and aged care settings, safety culture, health professional education and change management.
Phone
+61-2-9385 1136
E-mail
r.walpola@unsw.edu.au
Location
Room 232, Level 2, Samuels Building

Publications

  • Book Chapters | 2019
    Dr Ramesh Lahiru Walpola
    Walpola R; Aslani P, 2019, 'Developing and Implementing Patient Safety Standards Within the Pharmacy Practice and Education Settings', in Babar Z-U-D (ed.), Encyclopedia of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Pharmacy, Academic Press
  • Journal articles | 2021
    Dr Ramesh Lahiru Walpola
    Bhattarai B; Walpola R; Khan S; Mey A, 2021, 'Factors associated with medication adherence among people living with COPD: Pharmacists' perspectives', Exploratory Research in Clinical and Social Pharmacy, vol. 3, pp. 100049 - 100049, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rcsop.2021.100049
    Journal articles | 2021
    Dr Ramesh Lahiru Walpola
    Chauhan A; Walpola RL; Manias E; Seale H; Walton M; Wilson C; Smith AB; Li J; Harrison R, 2021, 'How do health services engage culturally and linguistically diverse consumers? An analysis of consumer engagement frameworks in Australia', Health Expectations, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/hex.13315
    Journal articles | 2021
    Dr Ramesh Lahiru Walpola
    Harrison R; Raman M; Walpola RL; Chauhan A; Sansom-Daly UM, 2021, 'Preparing for partnerships in cancer care: an explorative analysis of the role of family-based caregivers', BMC Health Services Research, vol. 21, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06611-0
    Journal articles | 2021
    Dr Ramesh Lahiru Walpola
    Bradfield Strydom M; Walpola RL; Khan S; Ware RS; Tiralongo E, 2021, 'Evidence-based update on Australasian pharmaceutical prescribing approaches for recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ajo.13376
    Journal articles | 2021
    Dr Ramesh Lahiru Walpola
    Harrison R; Fischer S; Walpola RL; Chauhan A; Babalola T; Mears S; Le-Dao H, 2021, 'Where Do Models for Change Management, Improvement and Implementation Meet? A Systematic Review of the Applications of Change Management Models in Healthcare.', J Healthc Leadersh, vol. 13, pp. 85 - 108, http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/JHL.S289176
    Journal articles | 2021
    Dr Ramesh Lahiru Walpola
    Adie K; Fois RA; McLachlan AJ; Walpola RL; Chen TF, 2021, 'The nature, severity and causes of medication incidents from an Australian community pharmacy incident reporting system: The QUMwatch study', British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bcp.14924
    Journal articles | 2021
    Dr Ramesh Lahiru Walpola
    Aldila F; Walpola RL, 2021, 'Medicine self-administration errors in the older adult population: A systematic review', Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2021.03.008
    Journal articles | 2021
    Dr Ramesh Lahiru Walpola
    Walpola R; Lucas C, 2021, 'Reflective practice: the essential competency for health systems and healthcare practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic', Reflective Practice, vol. 22, pp. 143 - 146, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14623943.2020.1860925
    Journal articles | 2020
    Dr Ramesh Lahiru Walpola
    Chauhan A; Walton M; Manias E; Walpola RL; Seale H; Latanik M; Leone D; Mears S; Harrison R, 2020, 'The safety of health care for ethnic minority patients: A systematic review', International Journal for Equity in Health, vol. 19, pp. 118, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12939-020-01223-2
    Journal articles | 2020
    Dr Ramesh Lahiru Walpola
    Le-Dao H; Chauhan A; Walpola R; Fischer S; Schwarz G; Minbashian A; Munro A; D'Arcy E; Allan J; Harrison R, 2020, 'Managing Complex Healthcare Change: A Qualitative Exploration of Current Practice in New South Wales, Australia', Journal of Healthcare Leadership, vol. 12, pp. 143 - 151, http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/jhl.s274958
    Journal articles | 2020
    Dr Ramesh Lahiru Walpola
    Bhattarai B; Walpola R; Mey A; Anoopkumar-Dukie S; Khan S, 2020, 'Barriers and strategies for improving medication adherence among people living with copd: A systematic review', Respiratory Care, vol. 65, pp. 1738 - 1750, http://dx.doi.org/10.4187/respcare.07355
    Journal articles | 2018
    Dr Ramesh Lahiru Walpola
    Walpola RL; McLachlan AJ; Chen TF, 2018, 'A scoping review of peer-led education in patient safety training', American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, vol. 82, pp. 115 - 123, http://dx.doi.org/10.5688/ajpe6110
    Journal articles | 2018
    Dr Ramesh Lahiru Walpola
    Lucas C; Williams K; Tudball J; Walpola RL, 2018, 'Community, hospital and industry preceptor perceptions of their role in experiential placements- the need for standardization of preceptor responsibilities and evaluations on students', Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning, vol. 10, pp. 1447 - 1455, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cptl.2018.08.002
    Journal articles | 2018
    Dr Ramesh Lahiru Walpola
    Walpola RL; Schneider CR, 2018, 'Longitudinal interprofessional student-led clinics – a formula for implementation', International Journal of Pharmacy Practice, vol. 26, pp. 473 - 474, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ijpp.12495
    Journal articles | 2017
    Dr Ramesh Lahiru Walpola
    Walpola RL; Fois RA; McLachlan AJ; Chen TF, 2017, 'Evaluating the effectiveness of an educational intervention to improve the patient safety attitudes of intern pharmacists', American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, vol. 81
    Journal articles | 2017
    Dr Ramesh Lahiru Walpola
    Walpola RL; Chen TF; Fois RA; Ashcroft DM; Lalor DJ, 2017, 'Evaluation of a survey tool to measure safety climate in Australian hospital pharmacy staff', Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, vol. 13, pp. 789 - 795, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2016.10.001
    Journal articles | 2016
    Dr Ramesh Lahiru Walpola
    Walpola RL; Fois RA; Mclachlan AJ; Chen TF, 2016, 'Enhancing generational change in patient safety attitudes through peer leadership', BMJ Simulation and Technology Enhanced Learning, vol. 2, pp. 87 - 89, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjstel-2016-000111
    Journal articles | 2015
    Dr Ramesh Lahiru Walpola
    Walpola RL; Fois RA; Carter SR; McLachlan AJ; Chen TF, 2015, 'Validation of a survey tool to assess the patient safety attitudes of pharmacy students', BMJ Open, vol. 5, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-008442
    Journal articles | 2015
    Dr Ramesh Lahiru Walpola
    Walpola RL; Fois RA; McLachlan AJ; Chen TF, 2015, 'Evaluating the effectiveness of a peerled education intervention to improve the patient safety attitudes of junior pharmacy students: A cross-sectional study using a latent growth curve modelling approach', BMJ Open, vol. 5, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010045
    Journal articles | 2015
    Dr Ramesh Lahiru Walpola
    Lalor DJ; Chen TF; Walpola R; George RA; Ashcroft DM; Fois RA, 2015, 'An exploration of Australian hospital pharmacists' attitudes to patient safety', International Journal of Pharmacy Practice, vol. 23, pp. 67 - 76, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ijpp.12115
  • Reports | 2021
    Dr Ramesh Lahiru Walpola
    Harrison R; Manias E; Walpola R; Dobbins T; Mimmo L; Harris-Roxas B, 2021, Clinician Experience of Virtual Modes, preprared by UNSW Sydney for the Strategic Reform Branch, New South Wales Ministry of Health
    Reports | 2020
    Dr Ramesh Lahiru Walpola
    Aslani P; Airaksinen M; Kusynova Z; Walpola R; Dean Franklin B; Eksteen M; Hertig J; Mair A, 2020, Patient Safety: Pharmacists' role in 'Medication without harm', International Pharmaceutical Federation, The Hague, https://www.fip.org/file/4757
  • Conference Abstracts | 2019
    Dr Ramesh Lahiru Walpola
    Nguyen GTHA; Haywood A; Walpola RL, 2019, 'EXAMINING QUALITY IMPROVEMENT EVALUATIONS OF THE DOSE ADMINISTRATION AID PREPARATION PROCESS BY COMMUNITY PHARMACIES', in RESEARCH IN SOCIAL & ADMINISTRATIVE PHARMACY, ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC, Vol. 15, pp. E19 - E19, http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000468482900046&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1
    Conference Papers | 2018
    Dr Ramesh Lahiru Walpola
    Lucas C; Williams KA; Tudball J; Walpola R, 2018, 'PRECEPTOR PERCEPTIONS: STANDARDIZING EVALUATION AND FEEDBACK PROCESSES FOR EXPERIENTIAL PLACEMENTS', in RESEARCH IN SOCIAL & ADMINISTRATIVE PHARMACY, ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC, pp. E39 - E39, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2018.05.069
    Conference Papers | 2018
    Dr Ramesh Lahiru Walpola
    Lucas C; Williams KA; McAloon J; Walpola R, 2018, 'FROM EXPECTATIONS TO EXPERIENCE: PHARMACY STUDENTS' PERCEPTIONS ON EXPERIENTIAL PLACEMENTS', in RESEARCH IN SOCIAL & ADMINISTRATIVE PHARMACY, ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC, pp. E45 - E45, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2018.05.088
    Conference Papers | 2014
    Dr Ramesh Lahiru Walpola
    Walpola RL; Chen TF; McLachlan AJ; Fois RA, 2014, 'Developing a Peer-led Patient Safety Education Program for Pharmacy Students', in RESEARCH IN SOCIAL & ADMINISTRATIVE PHARMACY, ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC, pp. E17 - E17, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2014.07.049

Awards

International Pharmaceutical Federation Young Pharmacist/Pharmaceutical Scientist Award for Professional Innovation 2012 

Awarded for: The development and evaluation of a peer-led patient safety education program

Grants

International Pharmaceutical Federation Young Pharmacist/Pharmaceutical Scientist Award for Professional Innovation 2012 

Awarded for: The development and evaluation of a peer-led patient safety education program

 

UNSW Sydney, School of Public Health and Community Medicine Grant Building Support Scheme 2019

Awarded for: Refugee health facilitator program: evaluating scope, scalability and outcomes

 

UNSW Business Health@Business Research Network and UNSW Medicine Collaborative Seed Funding 2020

Awarded for: Who knows what’s in your medicine? Harmful excipients in medication and the overlooked consequences for public health in Australia

 


UNSW Business Health@Business Research Network and UNSW Medicine Collaborative Seed Funding 2020

Awarded for: Translation and change: Embedding effective change management in health

 

UNSW Sydney, School of Public Health and Community Medicine Grant Building Support Scheme 2020

Awarded for:  Understanding the needs of informal caregivers in managing medicines for people receiving cancer treatment

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