Fathima Ruziah*
Department of Clinical Sciences, Kabul National Medical Institute, Kabul, Afghanistan
Received: 26-Nov-2024, Manuscript No. JHCP-24-156840; Editor assigned: 28-Nov-2024, PreQC No. JHCP-24-156840 (PQ); Reviewed: 12-Dec-2024, QC No. JHCP-24-156840; Revised: 19-Dec-2024, Manuscript No. JHCP-24-156840 (R); Published: 26-Dec-2024, DOI: 10.4172/J Hosp Clin Pharm.10.4.005
Citation: Ruziah F. Enhancing Medication Adherence through Collaborative Care Models in Hospital. RRJ Hosp Clin Pharm. 2024;10:005.
Copyright: © 2024 Ruziah F. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Visit for more related articles at Research & Reviews: Journal of Hospital and Clinical Pharmacy
Medication adherence is a critical factor in achieving positive patient outcomes, particularly in hospital settings where patients are often managing complex treatment regimens for acute and chronic conditions. Poor adherence to prescribed medications can lead to suboptimal therapeutic responses, increased hospital readmissions and unnecessary complications, all of which contribute to the overall burden on healthcare systems. In this context, collaborative care models, which emphasize the teamwork of healthcare professionals, have emerged as a promising approach to improving medication adherence in hospitals. These models involve coordinated efforts among physicians, nurses, clinical pharmacists and other healthcare providers to ensure that patients receive comprehensive care and are supported in adhering to their prescribed medications.
The integration of clinical pharmacists into collaborative care teams has proven to be particularly effective in enhancing medication adherence. Clinical pharmacists possess expertise in pharmacotherapy, medication management and patient education, making them well-equipped to address the various challenges that patients face in adhering to their treatment plans. By actively participating in interdisciplinary care teams, pharmacists can provide medication reviews, assess the appropriateness of prescribed therapies and ensure that patients understand their medication regimens. Through direct patient counseling, pharmacists can explain the purpose of each medication, potential side effects and the importance of adhering to the prescribed dosage schedule. This personalized education helps to address any misconceptions or concerns that patients may have, improving their confidence in the treatment process and fostering a sense of empowerment [1-3].
In addition to providing patient education, clinical pharmacists also play a key role in identifying and addressing barriers to medication adherence. Many patients in hospital settings experience challenges related to medication complexity, polypharmacy and side effects, all of which can contribute to nonadherence. Clinical pharmacists are uniquely positioned to identify and resolve these issues by recommending adjustments to the medication regimen, such as simplifying dosing schedules, suggesting alternative formulations, or offering solutions to minimize side effects. For instance, patients may struggle with taking multiple medications throughout the day, which can be overwhelming and lead to missed doses. By working with the healthcare team, pharmacists can help streamline treatment regimens, making them more manageable and increasing the likelihood of adherence.
Collaborative care models also foster improved communication between healthcare providers, which is essential for enhancing medication adherence. In traditional, fragmented care systems, patients may receive instructions from multiple providers, leading to confusion and inconsistency in messaging. By working together as a team, healthcare professionals can ensure that patients receive consistent, clear and concise instructions about their medications. This unified approach helps to eliminate any discrepancies between different providers' recommendations, ensuring that patients have a comprehensive understanding of their treatment plan. Furthermore, regular communication between pharmacists, physicians and nurses allows for the identification of potential drug interactions, duplications, or contraindications that could negatively impact medication adherence and patient safety [4-6].
In collaborative care models, the involvement of nurses is also essential in supporting medication adherence. Nurses are often the first point of contact for patients and play a critical role in monitoring patients' understanding of their medications and reinforcing adherence strategies. By working closely with clinical pharmacists, nurses can identify patients who may be at risk of nonadherence, such as those experiencing difficulties with medication administration or reporting side effects. Nurses can then coordinate with pharmacists to provide additional education or make adjustments to the treatment plan. This ongoing communication between nurses and pharmacists ensures that patients receive continuous support throughout their hospital stay, improving adherence and overall patient outcomes [7,8].
Enhancing medication adherence through collaborative care models in hospitals offers a promising solution to improve patient outcomes, particularly for those with complex treatment regimens. Clinical pharmacists, as key members of interdisciplinary care teams, play a critical role in optimizing medication therapy, addressing barriers to adherence and providing patient education. By fostering better communication, coordination and collaboration among healthcare providers, these models ensure that patients receive consistent, comprehensive care that promotes adherence and improves overall health outcomes. Although challenges remain in implementing these models, the growing body of evidence supporting their effectiveness highlights the potential for collaborative care to revolutionize medication adherence and ultimately, patient care in hospital settings [9,10].
[Crossref] [PubMed] [Google scholar]
[Crossref] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
[Crossref] [PubMed] [Google scholar]
[Crossref] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
[PubMed] [Google Scholar]
[Crossref] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Menu