Clinical pharmacist in palliative care unit: a retrospective study

Authors : Özgenur Geridönmez, Kamer Tecen Yücel

Pages : 385-394

Doi:10.55262/fabadeczacilik.1720227

View : 37 | Download : 25

Publication Date : 2025-08-26

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objective: In palliative care, the goal of medication therapy is to improve the quality of life and lessen the burden of symptoms. However, comorbidities, polypharmacy, or general vulnerability may cause drug-related problems (DRPs) in palliative care patients. Clinical pharmacists are crucial members of a hospital multidisciplinary team who identify DRPs and offer recommendations and interventions. The objective of this study was to categorize and define the pharmacist interventions and DRPs in the palliative care unit of a Turkish public hospital. Material and Method: This study was carried out retrospectively in a 60-bed palliative care unit at a Turkish state hospital. Patients who received palliative care for more than 24 hours between October 1, 2022, and April 1, 2023 were included in the study. Details like the DRP\\\'s identification, possible causes, planned intervention, acceptance of the intervention, and status were filled in by the clinical pharmacist through regular in-person interactions with patients or caregivers. The PCNE (V9.1) classification was used to classify all DRPs. Result and Discussion: This study included 130 patients in total, and DRP evaluation allowed for the recording of an average of 1.9 DRPs for each patient. The most common problems were “treatment effectiveness” (61.6%, n = 149) and followed by “treatment safety” (38%, n = 93). The primary cause of DRPs was “drug selection” (46.3%, n=111), followed by “patient related” (31%, n =74) and “dose selection” (16.9%, n=41). Clinical pharmacists performed 235 (97.1%) interventions, a total of 132 (55.0%) interventions were accepted and 118 (48.8%) problems are totally solved. In palliative units with elderly populations that have polypharmacy and a variety of comorbidities, the implementation of a team member who specializes in drug therapy, like clinical pharmacist, may be advantageous in mitigating potential complications. This is the first time clinical pharmacists have been involved in our center. Therefore, as the adaptation process progresses, it is anticipated that intervention and acceptance rates will rise. Treatment outcomes will be enhanced by multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
Keywords : Klinik eczacı, Palyatif bakım, İlaçla ilişkili problemler

ORIGINAL ARTICLE URL