Course Summary

Older adult populations in the United States are often confronted with health issues that can become more complex, difficult, and costly to treat as they age. A geriatric patient may suffer from several, chronic illnesses, which further complicates the patient’s treatment plan since the patient is likely to be prescribed multiple medications. This can lead to problems with drug-drug interactions, the prescribing of inappropriate or unnecessary medications, and adherence issues. Dealing with these issues requires coordinating the patient’s treatment through a multidisciplinary team approach. Managed care through medication therapy management and drug utilization review programs can help improve health outcomes for older adults and address the issues that arise when treating a patient with more than one chronic illness.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

1. Introduction
2. The Aging Population in the United States
3. Inappropriate Pharmacotherapy Use in Older Adults
4. Associated Costs of Pharmacotherapy Selections
   • Clinical and Economic Outcomes of Pharmacotherapy for Older Adults
   • Adherence to Formularies
5. Managed Care Implementation Process
6. Summary

Author

Abimbola Farinde, PhD, PharmD

Abimbola Farinde, PhD., PharmD is a healthcare professional and professor who has gained experience in the field and practice of mental health, geriatrics, and  pharmacy. Dr. Farinde has worked with active duty soldiers with dual diagnoses of a traumatic brain injury and a psychiatric disorder providing medication therapy management and disease state management. She has also worked with mentally impaired and developmentally disabled individuals at a state supported living center. Her different practice experiences have allowed her to develop and enhance her professional and clinical skills over the years. Dr. Farinde always strives to maintain a commitment towards achieving professional growth as she transitions from one phase of her career to the next.