1.The Role of Pharmacies for Elderly Individuals with Complex Issues: Promotion of Support Tools by a Community Pharmaceutical Association
Chihiro NAKAMURA ; Masao OHMITSU ; Shumei KOSYO ; Tomoichiro KOGA ; Takayuki NAKAJIMA ; Kazuhiro YAMAMOTO
Japanese Journal of Social Pharmacy 2023;42(2):114-121
The aging population in Japan continues to grow, leading to the emergence of complex issues. To understand the current awareness of these issues among member pharmacies of the Fukuoka City Minami Ward Pharmaceutical Association and promote various initiatives, support tools such as the “Consultation Flowchart” and “Consultation Checklist” were distributed to share information about the elderly with the local comprehensive support center. A survey was conducted to assess the awareness of complex issues and support tools. The survey revealed that about half of the pharmacy pharmacists were aware of the complex issues themselves, but the Consultation Flowchart had a recognition rate of 35.34%, and the Consultation Checklist had a recognition rate of 31.03%. It was also found that pharmacies with higher participation in regional collaboration meetings and a greater number of visits for medication management counseling had higher awareness of complex issues and support tools. To enhance efforts in addressing complex issues, the Fukuoka City Minami Ward Pharmaceutical Association needs to approach pharmacies with limited participation in regional collaboration meetings and a lower number of visits for medication management counseling. Building visible relationships with diverse professions in the community is crucial for improvement initiatives related to complex issues.