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Collaborative medication review to reduce potentially inappropriate medication use in the hospitalised older adult patients in tertiary care hospitals - A scoping review

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: India’s older adult population is growing due to improved healthcare, advances in medical technology, and enhanced living conditions, leading to increased life expectancy. Consequently, this growth in the older adult population leads to a higher prevalence of age-related health issues, including multimorbidity (the presence of multiple chronic conditions) and polypharmacy (the use of multiple medications), which can complicate healthcare management and necessitate interventions like collaborative medication reviews. This scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A comprehensive search was performed across multiple databases to identify relevant studies published between 2010 and 2024. Data on team composition, review processes, assessment tools, and outcomes were extracted and narratively synthesized. The review included 38 studies conducted in diverse healthcare settings. Successful CMR programs typically involved an interdisciplinary team of pharmacists, physicians, nurses, and other specialists. Standardized protocols, including medication reconciliation, geriatric assessments, and deprescribing interventions, were key components of the review process. Validated tools such as STOPP/START criteria and Medication Appropriateness Index were used to assess medication appropriateness. CMR interventions demonstrated significant reductions in potentially inappropriate medications, adverse drug events, and healthcare utilization, as well as improvements in quality of life and patient satisfaction. Collaborative, interdisciplinary medication review programs are effective in optimizing medication use and improving outcomes for hospitalized older adult patients. Successful implementation requires dedicated resources, standardized processes, and strong organizational support. Further research is needed to explore the scalability and long-term sustainability of these interventions across diverse healthcare settings in India.

Source: BMC Geriatrics

DOI: 10.1186/s12877-026-08453-z