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Optimization of drug prescribing
S H D Jackson1, A A Mangoni, G M Batty
1Department of Health Care of the Elderly, Guy's, King's, and St Thomas' School of Medicine, King's College London, London, UK. stephen.jackson@kcl.ac.uk
British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
|March 5, 2004
Summary
Prescribing medications for elderly patients presents challenges like side effects and interactions. Optimizing drug therapy requires understanding prescribing patterns and the roles of healthcare teams.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Pharmacology
- Evidence-Based Medicine
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Elderly patients face unique challenges with multiple medications, including adverse effects, drug interactions, and adherence issues.
- Rational prescribing for older adults is a key priority within national healthcare frameworks.
- Existing research highlights the complexities of drug therapy management in the geriatric population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the epidemiological evidence concerning medication prescribing in elderly individuals.
- To examine methods for assessing the quality of prescribing in this demographic.
- To elucidate the roles of prescribers and multidisciplinary teams in optimizing drug therapy for older patients.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of research evidence on geriatric prescribing.
- Analysis of epidemiological data related to medication use in the elderly.
- Evaluation of quality measurement methodologies in geriatric pharmacotherapy.
- Assessment of the collaborative roles within healthcare teams for drug therapy management.
Main Results:
- The review synthesizes current research on the patterns and epidemiology of drug prescribing in the elderly.
- It explores various metrics and approaches for evaluating the quality of geriatric medication management.
- The critical contribution of both individual prescribers and integrated multidisciplinary teams to safe and effective drug therapy is highlighted.
Conclusions:
- Effective management of drug therapy in elderly patients necessitates a comprehensive understanding of prescribing epidemiology and quality indicators.
- The collaborative efforts of prescribers and multidisciplinary teams are essential for optimizing medication regimens and improving patient outcomes in older adults.
- Addressing the complexities of geriatric prescribing is crucial for enhancing patient safety and therapeutic efficacy.