Pharmacist Involvement in Interprofessional Collaboration for Appropriate Medications at Fee-Based Homes for the Elderly

Abstract

Pharmacists attended an interprofessional team meeting that included nurses and care workers at fee-based homes for the elderly to assess the association between medication, health status, and living conditions provided by care workers. A visually based comparative worksheet on a timeline was used. This study aimed to clarify the role of pharmacists in interprofessional collaboration. A total of 47 residents at 13 facilities were assessed, and drug deprescription or prescription changes were provided in 39 cases. The cases were classified according to the reason for the change, e.g., discontinuation of unnecessary medication, the possibility of a harmful event, examination of therapeutic effect, and improving drug adherence. The participation of pharmacists helped clarify information about medication and health status and contributed to reducing drug-related problems in many cases.