Oonk NGM, Dorresteijn LDA, te Braake E, Movig KLL, van der Palen J, Nijmeijer HW, van Kesteren ME, Bode C. Structured medication reviews in Parkinson's disease: pharmacists' views, experiences and needs - a qualitative study.
Ther Adv Drug Saf 2024;
15:20420986241237071. [PMID:
38694547 PMCID:
PMC11062216 DOI:
10.1177/20420986241237071]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background
Executing structured medication reviews (SMRs) in primary care to optimize drug treatment is considered standard care of community pharmacists in the Netherlands. Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) often face complex drug regimens for their symptomatic treatment and might, therefore, benefit from an SMR. However, previously, no effect of an SMR on quality of life in PD was found. In trying to improve the case management of PD, it is interesting to understand if and to what extent SMRs in PD patients are of added value in the pharmacist's opinion and what are assumed facilitating and hindering factors.
Objectives
To analyse the process of executing SMRs in PD patients from a community pharmacist's point of view.
Design
A cross-sectional, qualitative study was performed, consisting of face-to-face semi-structured in-depth interviews.
Methods
The interviews were conducted with community pharmacists who executed at least one SMR in PD, till data saturation was reached. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded and analysed thematically using an iterative approach.
Results
Thirteen pharmacists were interviewed. SMRs in PD were considered of added value, especially regarding patient contact and bonding, individualized care and its possible effect in the future, although PD treatment is found already well monitored in secondary care. Major constraints were time, logistics and collaboration with medical specialists.
Conclusion
Although community pharmacist-led SMRs are time-consuming and sometimes logistically challenging, they are of added value in primary care in general, and also in PD, of which treatment occurs mainly in secondary care. It emphasizes the pharmacist's role in PD treatment and might tackle future drug-related issues. Improvements concern multidisciplinary collaboration for optimized SMR execution and results.
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