Optimizing Medication Therapy For Pulmonary Disorders: A Multidisciplinary Perspective From Pharmacy, Medicine And Chest Specialist

Abstract

Pulmonary disorders afflict millions globally and represent a major cause of morbidity, mortality, and healthcare expenditure.

Optimizing treatment for pulmonary disorders such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) requires a multidisciplinary approach leveraging expertise from diverse stakeholders.

Pulmonary medication therapy involves complex decision-making around issues like phenotype identification, biomarker-guided selection, adherence support, and monitoring of responses.

This review aims to comprehensively show recent developments in pulmonary medication therapy from various clinical specialties and discuss opportunities to better coordinate multidisciplinary care.

Personalized medicine approaches using biomarkers and genetics show considerable promise for optimizing pulmonary medication therapy. Phenotyping and endotyping based on molecular profiling aids in distinguishing disease subtypes and selecting the most appropriate pharmacological intervention. 

A literature search was conducted in September 2021 across PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library for articles published between January 2017 and September 2021. Search terms included "pulmonary disorders", "asthma", "COPD", "ILD", combined with "medication", "pharmacotherapy", "therapy", and related terms. Relevant articles were also identified by manually searching references lists. Information was also gathered from clinical practice guidelines published in 2017-2021 by reputed organizations.

This review highlights significant advances made across specialties to enhance pulmonary medication management. Newer biologics and triple inhalers provide additional therapeutic options. Personalized approaches using biomarkers and genetics aid clinical decision making. Integrated programs and coordinated care models help address medication-related, behavioral, and social determinants of health. However, further research is needed on real-world implementation and long-term outcomes of these multidisciplinary strategies.

Further research and healthcare system changes can help fully realize the benefits of integrating medical, behavioral, and social aspects of care. Coordinated efforts across specialties are vital to improve outcomes for patients with pulmonary disorders worldwide.

This review demonstrates that the most promising strategies incorporate multidisciplinary perspectives. Personalized approaches using biomarkers and genetics show how pulmonary specialists can work with researchers to better tailor treatments to individual pathophysiology. Engaging non-physician professionals through programs like pulmonary rehabilitation illustrates how behavioral and social issues impact clinical success. 

Overcoming barriers to personalized medicine's widespread adoption will demand concerted efforts across multiple stakeholders. Standardizing best practices dissemination through collaborative networks can also strengthen real-world implementation.