2Hacettepe Üniversitesi Eczacılık Fakültesi Toksikoloji Anabilim Dalı ANKARA Introduction: As community pharmacists are the most easily accessible health professionals in our country, it is important to have their opinions on geriatric patients. In this study we aimed to learn what experiences community pharmacists have with geriatric patients as well as their information and observations on this target group.
Materials and Method: In this research in-depth interview was used as a qualitative research technique. A total of 25 community pharmacists were interviewed. The interviews went on until no new data was obtained.
Results: According to the in-depth interviews with the community pharmacists the following were stated: Elderly patients visit community pharmacists not only to get their medicines but also to consult them on various health issues and to chat. They mostly have diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases as chronic diseases. They consume the drugs against these diseases as well as other medicines. In the communication process with their geriatric patients pharmacists encounter many problems. Nevertheless they have suggestions to improve their services which they provide for their elderly patients.
Conclusion: There are some responsibilities that the pharmacists should take within the context of geriatric discipline.
Keywords : Pharmacy; Geriatrics; Patients; Qualitative Research