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Tribune News Network
Doha
PATIENTS with health conditions requiring them to take multiple medications are continuing to benefit from medication-related education and consultations at the pharmacist-led Medication Therapy Management Clinic at Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Al Wakra Hospital.
Opened in 2015, the innovative clinic provides a variety of outpatient services to those who need help managing their medication therapies. As part of the initiative, clinical pharmacists answer patient questions related to medication dosages, effectiveness, side effects, drug interactions and adverse reactions.
“The Medication Therapy Management Clinic aims to provide the safest and most effective individualised medication therapies while also encouraging patients to commit to their medication regimen and other treatments through regular follow-up care. So far, the initiative has yielded positive results – based on the feedback we have received from patients,” said Dr Rashaal Anany, director of Pharmacy, Al Wakra Hospital.
She said the clinic is staffed by registered clinical pharmacists with extensive experience in medication therapy management. The pharmacy team works closely with physicians to ensure each patient’s medication plan is achieving targeted therapeutic goals.
Dr Anany said patients are referred to the clinic by physicians and can also walk-in, and referrals or appointments are not necessary. She said the clinic aims to provide patients who are taking multiple medications for chronic conditions such as congestive heart failure, diabetes, end-stage renal disease, depression and respiratory diseases with individualised education and consultation.
“Patients are also referred to the clinic if they are non-adherent to their medication regime. In these cases, the patient may require individualised education. We also see patients who have been prescribed a medication that they have concerns about, such as concerns over drug interactions or adverse drug reactions. In this case, they may just need a little extra information or clarification. The clinic provides other services upon demand, including medication counselling, post-discharge medication follow-up care, including via telephone, and medication cost consultations,” noted Dr Anany.
Dr Dania Alkhiyami and Dr Sara Hayder, both coordinators at the Medication Therapy Management Clinic, said the clinic is working closely with patients and their doctors to provide additional information about medications and medical issues.
They said the clinic is also providing specialised pharmaceutical care for patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who require extensive education and follow-up care on prescribed medications, especially inhalers. Hundreds of patients have benefited from this service since an agreement between the Medication Therapy Management Clinic and Pulmonary Clinic at Al Wakra Hospital was signed earlier this year.
“The Collaborative Drug Therapy Management (CDTM) agreement, signed with the Pulmonary Clinic at Al Wakra Hospital, has further strengthened the relationship between physicians and pharmacists. We are committed to maximising patient medication therapy plans”, said Dr Alkhiyami.
“CDTM is a new care model evolved to cover areas of practice that require extensive medication reviews and follow-up. This professional partnership will allow the clinical pharmacists to integrate their knowledge, skills and experiences to help optimise drug regimens”, added Dr Alkhiyami.
Dr Hayder noted that pharmacists have the necessary tools and knowledge to implement timely screening and effective prevention initiatives. She said that the clinic is playing an important role in helping patients meet therapeutic targets.
“A major focus of our work is monitoring patients’ self-monitored blood pressure, weight, blood sugar and peak flow meter readings, according to their therapeutic targets. We also help coordinate their pharmacy visits with medication refills, helping patients manage their medications and assisting them with difficulties accessing medications”, said Dr Hayder.
Doha
PATIENTS with health conditions requiring them to take multiple medications are continuing to benefit from medication-related education and consultations at the pharmacist-led Medication Therapy Management Clinic at Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Al Wakra Hospital.
Opened in 2015, the innovative clinic provides a variety of outpatient services to those who need help managing their medication therapies. As part of the initiative, clinical pharmacists answer patient questions related to medication dosages, effectiveness, side effects, drug interactions and adverse reactions.
“The Medication Therapy Management Clinic aims to provide the safest and most effective individualised medication therapies while also encouraging patients to commit to their medication regimen and other treatments through regular follow-up care. So far, the initiative has yielded positive results – based on the feedback we have received from patients,” said Dr Rashaal Anany, director of Pharmacy, Al Wakra Hospital.
She said the clinic is staffed by registered clinical pharmacists with extensive experience in medication therapy management. The pharmacy team works closely with physicians to ensure each patient’s medication plan is achieving targeted therapeutic goals.
Dr Anany said patients are referred to the clinic by physicians and can also walk-in, and referrals or appointments are not necessary. She said the clinic aims to provide patients who are taking multiple medications for chronic conditions such as congestive heart failure, diabetes, end-stage renal disease, depression and respiratory diseases with individualised education and consultation.
“Patients are also referred to the clinic if they are non-adherent to their medication regime. In these cases, the patient may require individualised education. We also see patients who have been prescribed a medication that they have concerns about, such as concerns over drug interactions or adverse drug reactions. In this case, they may just need a little extra information or clarification. The clinic provides other services upon demand, including medication counselling, post-discharge medication follow-up care, including via telephone, and medication cost consultations,” noted Dr Anany.
Dr Dania Alkhiyami and Dr Sara Hayder, both coordinators at the Medication Therapy Management Clinic, said the clinic is working closely with patients and their doctors to provide additional information about medications and medical issues.
They said the clinic is also providing specialised pharmaceutical care for patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who require extensive education and follow-up care on prescribed medications, especially inhalers. Hundreds of patients have benefited from this service since an agreement between the Medication Therapy Management Clinic and Pulmonary Clinic at Al Wakra Hospital was signed earlier this year.
“The Collaborative Drug Therapy Management (CDTM) agreement, signed with the Pulmonary Clinic at Al Wakra Hospital, has further strengthened the relationship between physicians and pharmacists. We are committed to maximising patient medication therapy plans”, said Dr Alkhiyami.
“CDTM is a new care model evolved to cover areas of practice that require extensive medication reviews and follow-up. This professional partnership will allow the clinical pharmacists to integrate their knowledge, skills and experiences to help optimise drug regimens”, added Dr Alkhiyami.
Dr Hayder noted that pharmacists have the necessary tools and knowledge to implement timely screening and effective prevention initiatives. She said that the clinic is playing an important role in helping patients meet therapeutic targets.
“A major focus of our work is monitoring patients’ self-monitored blood pressure, weight, blood sugar and peak flow meter readings, according to their therapeutic targets. We also help coordinate their pharmacy visits with medication refills, helping patients manage their medications and assisting them with difficulties accessing medications”, said Dr Hayder.
