America’s Other Drug Problem: Critical Medication Management Considerations for the Older Patient

Course Description:

America’s Other Drug Problem: Critical Medication Management Considerations for the Older Patient will cover the morbidity and mortality statistics associated with what has been referred to as “America’s Other Drug Problem.” That is the problems that the older patient may experience as a result of their medications. The course will describe what changes occur as a person ages that predisposes them to problems with their medications. This will be followed by a discussion of commonly used classes of medications by older people and suggested desirable medications to within those classes and which agents to avoid. The course will conclude with common sense recommendation to reduce the risk of medication misadventures by older people. 

Target Audience

Academic Faculty/Staff, Federal Government Employees, State Government Employees, Local Government Employees, Non-Government Employees and Students.

Learning Objectives

  • State morbidity and mortality statistics associated with medication related problems in the geriatric patient
  • List factors responsible for “America’s Other Drug Problem”
  • Describe changes that predispose older patients to increased morbidity and mortality from medication therapy
  • Recognize that for the elderly, potentially inappropriate medications often have safer alternatives
  • Discuss management considerations
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 Participation/CE
    Tulane Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) awards 1.00 hour(s) of credit for completing America’s Other Drug Problem: Critical Medication Management Considerations for the Older Patient
Course opens: 
10/20/2021
Course expires: 
01/01/2040
Cost:
$0.00
Rating: 
5

Instructor:

Mark Stratton
Mark A. Stratton, Pharm.D., BCGP, FASHP

Dr. Mark A. Stratton earned both his Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from the University of Missouri in Kansas City. He continued his training with a residency at Truman Medical Center in Kansas City. He is currently an Emeritus Professor of Pharmacy with the University of Oklahoma, College of Pharmacy. Prior to his retirement in 2015 he was Professor of Pharmacy and the Langsam Endowed Chair in Geriatric Pharmacy since 2001. Dr. Stratton was co-founder and interim director of the Center on Aging at the University of New Mexico in the 1980s and served as a department chair at the University of Houston in the 1990s. During his career, he has served on numerous national, state, university and college committees.

Dr. Stratton has spent more than 34 years of his career dedicated to improving the lives of older people through the promotion of rational drug therapy. In 2001, he formed the Institute for Geriatric Pharmacy at OU to continue this work through education, research and service. His passion has been educating the elderly, and to that end he has presented his lecture, “Using Medications Safely – A Key Ingredient to Your Health,” over hundreds of times to thousands of seniors in New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma. Dr. Stratton has promoted and developed numerous education and training programs for students and practitioners since the 1980’s about appropriate medication use in the geriatric population. He has collaborated with other academically based aging programs and community-based service agencies in these activities throughout his career.

During his career, he has been the recipient of numerous awards, grants/contracts and has 50 publications in the professional literature. As well, he has been a part of several films and webinars on medication issues and older people. He has been a regular guest on local television and radio programs promoting the safe use of medications in older adults.

Available Credit

  • 1.00 Participation/CE
    Tulane Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) awards 1.00 hour(s) of credit for completing America’s Other Drug Problem: Critical Medication Management Considerations for the Older Patient

Price

Cost:
$0.00
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Required Hardware/software

System Settings 
This course is designed to work most effectively if your computer and internet connection meet certain minimal requirements. This course can be accessed using a Windows 10 PC or a Mac with High Sierra1, Mojave, or Catalina. Pop-up blockers should be disabled when viewing the course. Internet Explorer 11 (for Windows 10), or the current version of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari (for Windows 10 and or Mac) is required. Many of our courses require Java and JavaScript enabled. 

Links to External Websites   
Links to websites outside this course will open in a new window or tab. Some browsers may minimize the course window. If this occurs, maximize the course window to return to the course. 

Adobe Acrobat Reader (for desktops and laptops)  
Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to access some documents in this course. If you need to download a free copy of Acrobat Reader, click here.  

Internet Connection Speed 
A minimum download speed of 1.5 Mbps is recommended for an optimal experience, which is commonly the speed associated with a basic DSL or a cellular/satellite connection. A faster connection, such as cable or fiber service, with further enhance your online experience. A Wi-Fi connection is generally acceptable, but it is dependent upon one of the two services mentioned above. You can check your internet connection speed at http://www.speedtest.net/.