RESUMEN
The Institute of Medicine's report "Retooling for an Aging America: Building the Health Care Workforce" concluded that the US health care workforce will require significant overhaul to care for the estimated 70 million adults 65 years and older by 2030. No profession trains the numbers of geriatric specialists needed to maintain the current provider to patient ratio. Pharmacy is no exception; currently less than 1% of pharmacists are certified or have specialty training in geriatrics. Schools of pharmacy, accrediting and professional organizations, and boards of pharmacy will need to collaborate to ensure that pharmacists have the core competencies to care for older adults.
Asunto(s)
Servicios de Salud para Ancianos/tendencias , Servicios Farmacéuticos/tendencias , Farmacéuticos/tendencias , Anciano , Envejecimiento , Técnicos Medios en Salud/provisión & distribución , Técnicos Medios en Salud/tendencias , Educación en Farmacia/tendencias , Geriatría/tendencias , Servicios de Salud para Ancianos/provisión & distribución , Humanos , National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, U.S., Health and Medicine Division , Selección de Personal/métodos , Selección de Personal/tendencias , Servicios Farmacéuticos/provisión & distribución , Farmacéuticos/provisión & distribución , Competencia Profesional , Especialización/tendencias , Estados UnidosRESUMEN
The extent of pharmacy involvement in area health planning, and the perception of health planners on pharmacy and drug-related issues, were assessed. Health Systems Agencies (HSAs) (135, or 66%) and State Health Planning and Development Agencies (SHPDAs) (25, or 45%) responded to a 34-item mail questionnaire on pharmacy planning issues. Pharmacists were involved in developing health plans in 39% of the HSAs and 18% of the SHPDAs. Pharmaceutical services were mentioned in 50% of the local and 58% of the state plans. Thirty-two percent of the HSAs and 42% of the SHPDAs believed there was a poor distribution of pharmacies in health service areas. The respondents also answered questions on the need for pharmaceutical services in given areas and among special populations, drug reimbursement procedures, and the kinds of data health planners need when planning pharmaceutical services. Numerous respondents noted that increased participation by pharmacy groups in health planning would be desirable and welcomed.