An exploratory study on developing a geriatric pharmacy network for medication management via telehealth consultation / Nor Elyzatul Akma Hamdan

Background: The need for social distancing and disruption of healthcare systems appears to be opening a window of opportunity for greater exposure to the usage of technology in geriatric care. In response to maintain continuity of care and fill in the gap due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the geriatric pharmacy network (GPN) was developed. The GPN refers to a public-private partnership between Hospital Pharmacists with Academic Pharmacists and Community Pharmacists in Malaysia. Objective: The first phase of this study aims to explore the pharmacists' views on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pharmacist-patient consultations and their views on the feasibility of conducting telehealth to maintain continuity of care in geriatric medication therapy adherence clinics (GMTAC). The second phase aims to elucidate the mechanism for developing a public-private partnership via GPN as an alternative strategy to expand and sustain GMTAC services through telehealth consultations. Methods: This study used a qualitative study design. The first phase of the study involved semi-structured interviews with pharmacists experienced in GMTAC. The second phase of the study involved focus group discussions with the key stakeholders involved in the GMTAC, such as the physicians, staff nurses, and patients. In addition, the key stakeholders involved in the GPN, such as community pharmacists and academic pharmacists, were also invited to this focus group discussion. Both interviews and focus group discussions were collected via an online platform. Data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a framework analysis method. The NVivo 12 software was used to manage the data. Results: Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with 11 pharmacists and 21 stakeholders, respectively. Three themes emerged on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pharmacist-patient consultation: (1) management of GMTAC services, (2) inefficient communication and (3) the pandemic's effect on emotion, behaviours, and psychology. As for the feasibility of conducting telehealth: (1) utility, (2) acceptance and (3) readiness are the three main themes that emerged. Finally, the focus group discussion resulted in a wide range of themes that help to elucidate the mechanism of developing GPN, categorized into short and long-term goals. Conclusion: The formation of GPN will offer tremendous benefits and has the potential to address the gap caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The utilization of telehealth is feasible to be implemented to maintain continuity of care, but the challenges and barriers must be addressed. The development of GPN will serve as an alternative strategy to expand the GMTAC services, but the short and long-term goals must be achieved to ensure successful implementation of GPN.