ROLE OF PHARMACISTS IN SUPPORTING NURSING CARE IN PALLIATIVE AND END-OF-LIFE CARE: SCOPING REVIEW
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Keywords
Pharmacists, Palliative Care, End-of-Life Care, Nursing Care, Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Medication Management, Patient Outcomes, Healthcare Team, Symptom Management, Quality of Life.
Abstract
The role of pharmacists in palliative and end-of-life care is increasingly recognised as critical to improving patient-centered care. This scoping review investigates pharmacists' contributions to nursing care in palliative settings by combining findings from five significant research done between 2018 and 2024. The review focuses on how pharmacists optimize prescription regimens, improve symptom management, and facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration with nursing staff, resulting in better patient outcomes and satisfaction. According to the studies, early access to pharmacy services leads to shorter hospital stays and improved care procedures. However, considerable constraints, such as limited access, insufficient training, and a lack of institutional accreditation and certification in palliative pharmacy, prevent pharmacists from fully integrating into healthcare teams. These findings highlight the need of focused interventions that encourage collaboration between pharmacists and nursing staff, thereby improving the quality of palliative care for patients with life-limiting conditions. The research concludes by arguing for structural improvements that would expand pharmacists' responsibilities in palliative care, so benefiting patients, families, and healthcare teams while addressing the complexity of end-of-life care.
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References
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