THE COMBINED EFFECT OF PHARMACY AND NURSING IMPROVING TREATMENT OUTCOMES FOR PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS

Abstract

The treatment outcome for patients with chronic conditions can be enhanced by the health care professionals working to each other's strengths. Chronic conditions have become the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Chronic conditions place a significant burden on the health care system and require many health care resources. Millions of dollars are spent annually on the treatment of chronic conditions. Although health care systems have evolved and expanded, the treatment outcomes for patients with chronic conditions remain suboptimal (Thinsan, 2015). Professional silos in health care lead to patient care being suboptimal. Pharmacy and nursing professionals are two of the largest groups of health care providers that are vital in chronic condition management. In addition, pharmacy and nursing services often work in silos despite their collaborative efforts having the potential to improve patient care significantly.

Working together pharmacy and nursing professionals can enhance the treatment outcomes of patients with chronic conditions. It is essential to identify and understand the complexities of working together pharmacy and nursing professionals in the chronic condition context. Chronic conditions have become a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. A chronic condition is a health condition that generally lasts longer than six months and adversely affects a patient's life. Diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, mental disorders, and chronic respiratory diseases are examples of chronic conditions. Chronic conditions often co-occur in patients. Global deaths from chronic conditions are expected to increase by 17 million annually, with low- and middle-income countries being the most affected. Chronic conditions also place a significant burden on the health care system because they require many resources.