Medication Review Research Paper

Words: 1031
Pages: 5

The delivery of healthcare and health promotion is a complex process that involves many healthcare professions working together. Medication-related problems are a significant contributor to mortality and health care utilization in both Canada and the US1,2,3. An estimated 50% of patients with chronic diseases are non-compliant to their medications and non-compliance costs Canada approximately $7-9 billion a year4. Thus patient education about their drug therapy program is very important. Pharmacist-led medication reviews have been implemented in order to try and improve healthcare delivery and health promotion. But how exactly do these medication reviews work and do they actually improve patient health outcomes?
What is a medication review?
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It not only promotes effective communication between the patient and healthcare provider, it can also improve drug treatment effectiveness and value and increase drug adherence6. Medication reviews have the added benefit of documenting care in a well structured and organized manner, which leads to better developed care plans7. Medication reviews are more commonly used, and strongly recommended, in elderly patients because of their need for multiple drugs and simultaneous presence of chronic diseases8,9. Elderly patients were also found to underuse many of their prescribed medication, further outlining the importance of medication reviews10. Medication reviews can be performed by a number of healthcare professionals; however, the patient usually seeks out a physician or pharmacist. Although physician-led medication reviews are not well defined, there are a number of pharmacist-led medication review programs available across Canada. MedsCheck is a community pharmacist led medication …show more content…
This disconnect seems be caused by difficulties implementing medication review programs in community pharmacies and a lack of communication between pharmacist and physician22. The significant lack of face to face interactions between pharmacists and physicians seems to be one of the barriers as communication can be asynchronous and impersonal22. Additionally, some physicians seem to be unaware of the training and duties of pharmacists23. Improvements in interprofessional relationships between pharmacists and physicians will most likely be seen by cultivating a culture of collaboration. Building mutual trust between pharmacists and physicians is essential and setting clear expectations between the two healthcare professions may help address the lack of communication24. Further improvements can be made by implementing a formal and structured medication review program universal to all healthcare