Significance of multidisciplinary collaboration among pharmacists in home care

Abstract

Although pharmacists had been providing in-home drug guidance before the long-term care insurance system was introduced in 2000, it was often in collaboration with medical professionals. However, with the start of the system, not only medical care but also nursing care workers and various other occupations became involved, and pharmacists were required to demonstrate their expertise and work in collaboration with multiple occupations even more. In the home setting, pharmaceutical guidance is required according to the actual living conditions of patients, and there are many situations in which it is difficult for pharmacists alone to gather information. Furthermore, we believe that pharmacists can demonstrate their professional skills and solve various issues and problems in a cross-professional manner not only by connecting with multiple professions in the community but also by interacting with nationwide organizations of other professions related to home health care.