Consultant pharmacists, advanced practice nurses, and the interdisciplinary team

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Interdisciplinary Healthcare
• Teamwork in Healthcare

Background:

• Geriatrics excels in interdisciplinary care for older adults compared to other fields.
• Opportunities exist to further enhance collaborative practices within geriatrics.
• Understanding team dynamics is essential for effective geriatric care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review general teamwork principles in geriatrics.
• To explore the relationship between advanced practice nurses (APNs) and consultant pharmacists.
• To define 'team,' 'team type,' and 'team goals' in geriatric settings.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of teamwork in geriatrics.
• Conceptual analysis of interprofessional collaboration.
• Defining key terminology related to geriatric teams.

Main Results:

• Geriatric care demonstrates a strong foundation in interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Clear definitions of team structure and objectives are needed.
• The roles of APNs and consultant pharmacists within these teams require specific consideration.

Conclusions:

• Continued focus on refining teamwork is vital for advancing geriatric care.
• Establishing clear team definitions will enhance the effectiveness of healthcare professionals.
• Optimizing the integration of APNs and consultant pharmacists can improve patient outcomes.