INNOVATIONS in pharmacy

Decentralize-Change-Recentralize Model of Drug Information Networks in Health Centers: Decentralized Drug Information Services

Dixon Thomas

Gulf Medical University

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1963-253X

Seeba Zachariah

College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, UAE

Danial Baker

College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, USA

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24926/iip.v11i1.3032

Keywords: Decentralization, drug information, clinical pharmacy, health centers

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Abstract

Large health centers usually decentralize their services to small self-sufficient sub-centers of care delivery. These small centers are part of an extensive network of practitioners who are connected. The drug information services of independent clinical pharmacists in a health center could be fragmented. Drug information centers thus need to have a new definition of the mode of operation. While maintaining autonomy in information exchange, professionals are integrated to form a large community of practitioners. Technological advancements in communication and access to resources enable efficient collaborations to happen. Immersed in patient-centered collaborative practice environments, networks of professionals integrate drug information services. Drug information networks thus hold a similar philosophy of health centers to decentralize-change-centralize its services. Further research is required to measure the impact of this model of drug information services.

 

Article Type: Commentary