Leila Shafiee Hanjani1, J Simon Bell2, Christopher Freeman3. 1. PharmD, MClinPharm, Centre for Health Services Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld. 2. BPharm (Hons), PhD, MPS, Professor and Director, Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Vic. 3. BPharm, GDipClinPharm, PhD, AACPA, AdvPracPharm, FPS, Co-Director, Centre for Optimising Pharmacy Practice-based Excellence in Research, School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Qld; Affiliate Associate Professor, Centre for Health Services Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Qld.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Medication review can be delivered using telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure ongoing provision of care to vulnerable patient populations and to minimise risk of infection for both patients and health professionals. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to discuss the evidence related to telehealth medication reviews and provide practical considerations for conducting successful medication reviews by telehealth. DISCUSSION: Leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth technologies had been increasingly used to deliver medication review services, mainly to patients in rural and remote areas, and were accepted by patients. Available evidence suggests telehealth medication reviews may positively affect clinical and cost outcomes, but there are ongoing challenges. When delivering these services, appropriate preparation - using support people, maintaining patients' privacy, selecting the most suitable technology on the basis of individual circumstances and ensuring good communication between healthcare professionals involved in medication review cycle of care - can help produce best results for patients.
BACKGROUND: Medication review can be delivered using telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure ongoing provision of care to vulnerable patient populations and to minimise risk of infection for both patients and health professionals. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to discuss the evidence related to telehealth medication reviews and provide practical considerations for conducting successful medication reviews by telehealth. DISCUSSION: Leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth technologies had been increasingly used to deliver medication review services, mainly to patients in rural and remote areas, and were accepted by patients. Available evidence suggests telehealth medication reviews may positively affect clinical and cost outcomes, but there are ongoing challenges. When delivering these services, appropriate preparation - using support people, maintaining patients' privacy, selecting the most suitable technology on the basis of individual circumstances and ensuring good communication between healthcare professionals involved in medication review cycle of care - can help produce best results for patients.
Authors: Eman Alhmoud; Dania Al Khiyami; Raja Barazi; Mohammed Saad; Ali Al-Omari; Ahmed Awaisu; Rasha El Enany; Moza Al Hail Journal: PLoS One Date: 2022-10-13 Impact factor: 3.752