Chronic Disease Management in Primary Care: The Integration of Nursing, Pharmacy, Cardiology, and Medical Records in Managing Chronic Conditions
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- Category: Vol. 81, December 2013
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Chronic Disease Management in Primary Care: The Integration of Nursing, Pharmacy, Cardiology, and Medical Records in Managing Chronic Conditions
Abstract
Background: Hypertension, often called the “silent killer,” can lead to severe organ damage if left untreated. While effec-tive management of blood pressure (BP) can significantly re-duce these risks, a significant proportion of individuals have uncontrolled hypertension. Home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) has shown promise in improving blood pressure con-trol, but research on the effectiveness of BP telemonitoring, which transmits readings to healthcare professionals, is limited. Aim of Work: The goal of this study was to acquire a better knowledge of the expectations, experiences, and views of gen- eral practitioners (GPs) and pharmacists about cooperation in chronic disease (asthma) treatment in the primary care context. Methods: A review of studies published between 1995 and 2012 was conducted using five databases and the Cochrane li-brary. Inclusion criteria included community-based empirical studies. The links between ideas and themes were investigated and utilized to define the nature of collaborative interactions in primary care settings. Results: There is now a link between GPs and pharmacists, although cooperation is limited, and there are some areas of practice and patient care where the two professional groups do not match. At the same time, this study revealed important com-ponents of the GP-pharmacist interaction that may be exploited to foster more collaborative partnerships in the future. The study’s results were assessed using the Collaborative Working Relationships model and existing literature. Conclusion: A model for developing the GP-pharmacist connection has been proposed, which articulates the dynamic nature of professional relationships in primary care and iden-tifies a road to more collaborative practice. Future research should concentrate on improving this model.