Exploring the Role of Clinical Pharmacists, Nursing and Technician in Optimizing Pharmacotherapy for Geriatric Patients in Ambulatory Care Settings

Abstract

Optimizing pharmacotherapy for geriatric patients in the ambulatory care setting is paramount. Geriatric patients’ multi-morbidity, poly-pharmacy, and medication exposure increase the risk of adverse drug events and other medication-related problems. Optimized pharmacotherapy in geriatric patients can improve compliance, minimize adverse drug reactions, etc. Clinical pharmacists, nurses and technician are critical in optimizing pharmacotherapy in the ambulatory care setting. They review a geriatric patient’s medication comprehensively. Still, they also educate the patients on the medications and work with other healthcare providers to design a treatment plan as per the requirements of a patient. Overall, the barriers to optimized pharmacotherapy for geriatric patients in ambulatory settings consist of the lack of access to healthcare services, communication between healthcare providers, and the absence of geriatrics-specific education for pharmacists. To address these challenges, future directions could encompass the creation of pharmacist-led programs in workplace settings, integration with home-based pharmacists in primary care teams, and the use of technology in electric health records (EHRs) and data management to decrease medication errors and enhance adherence among geriatric adults. Optimizing pharmacotherapy for geriatrics is vital for improving overall health outcomes and reducing healthcare costs, with clinical pharmacists, nurses and technician being at the forefront of these efforts.