tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91520834938930501422011-11-27T15:39:42.934-08:00Impressions from the clinical fieldPharmMusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09314003088819224377noreply@blogger.comBlogger11100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9152083493893050142.post-47112185654259114462007-06-01T12:16:00.000-07:002007-06-01T12:35:17.358-07:00I have been in the profession for several years and still am amazed to find so many differences in how pharmacists and doctors practice within a hospital as well as in other settings. With the advent of multimedia advertising, the medical profession has become largely consumer-driven. If the doctor fails to prescribe a medication that a patient think he/she needs, attrition in clientele might result. I have seen cases of overt overprescribing and inappropriate prescribing given the age and organ function. The older the patient, the more drug interactions are likely to occur and the more adverse effects are likely to ensue due to cognitive impairment and limited mobility. Then, there are medications given to reduce the side effects of other drugs, and finally, endless samples which come from doctor's offices. Now, add to this, going to multiple providers and potentially receiving similar medications! How many patients tell their doctors that they get prescriptions from their specialists for other meds? How many have a current list of all the medicines they are on? How many still take expired medications for intermittent complaints like pain or GI upset? How many older adults are overmedicated with psychotropics because their caretakers/ nursing home are inconvenienced by their desire for personal attention? We as health care professionals need to re-evaluate what is it that we strive for in giving a medication--a short-term treatment or a long-term solution aimed at preventing morbidity and mortality. Doctors, have you educated your patients lately about the uses and appropriate ways to take a medication? Have your asked your pharmacists' input on drug interactions, dosage reduction, route of administration? If so, I salute you and think you are the best. If not, think about it--what is the long-term goal, how is adherence optimized, when do you take the patient's suggestion for a new Rx and when not? Also, add to that 150,000 annual deaths resulting from medical errors and adverse events and possible 7,000 deaths caused by medication misadventures. <br />For patient information on how to take medications, check out <a href="http://www.audiorxpro.com">www.audiorxpro.com</a> for helpful drug audiofiles and pharmacist's advice.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9152083493893050142-4711218565425911446?l=pharmmedicus.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>PharmMusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09314003088819224377noreply@blogger.com0