Collaborate. Strategize. Simplify. Process to Improve Opioid and Medication Use for Aging Adults

Award Date: 2018

Project Lead(s): Feng Chang

Project Title: Collaborate. Strategize. Simplify. Process to Improve Opioid and Medication Use for Aging Adults

Aging adults frequently receive multiple well-intentioned medical treatments that can affect cognitive health, including opioids, sedatives, antipsychotics, antidepressants, even non-prescription over-the-counter products. Concurrent use of these medications can lead to increased risk of cognitive decline and unintentional errors. This project aims to develop and test a process for clinicians to work together to identify and target high-risk co-prescribed medication combinations in older adults in primary care. Specifically, the process will introduce tools for physicians and pharmacists to work collaboratively to assess older patients who are taking a combination of opioids and other medications that might negatively affect their brain health, and guide them through making meaningful changes. This project has the potential to strengthen support for prescribers in the management of complex patients, and optimize pharmacist role in medication management, while empowering patients and caregivers in making informed decisions regarding their care through education and individualized care planning.