Sudeh Cheraghi-Sohi1, Mark Jeffries2, Fiona Stevenson3, Darren M Ashcroft2, Matthew Carr2, Kathryn Oliver2, Anne Rogers4. 1. NIHR Greater Manchester Primary Care Patient Safety Translational Research Centre, Institute of Population Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom sudeh.cheraghi-sohi@manchester.ac.uk. 2. NIHR Greater Manchester Primary Care Patient Safety Translational Research Centre, Institute of Population Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom. 3. UCL, London, United Kingdom. 4. University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: There is a lack of focus on the broader social context, networks and influences on medicine-taking as part of illness work. This work adopts a social network approach and seeks to explicate the nature of medicine-taking work that people with multiple long-term conditions (LTCs) and their social network members (SNMs) do in attempting to take their medications on a daily basis, the division of labour amongst these members and when and why SNMs become involved in that work. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 people who had multiple LTCs. Medication networks were constructed and the division of labour in relation to medication-work was explored. RESULTS: Four types of medication-work emerged: medication articulation, surveillance, emotional and informational. Involvement of SNMs in medication-work was selective, performed primarily by family members, within the home. Involvement reflected network composition and/or an individual's conceptualisation/presentation of self. DISCUSSION: Our findings support and extend the conceptualisation of routine medicine-taking as a type of work. Furthermore, we illustrate the involvement of SNMs in aspects of medicine-work. Health professionals should explore and support the role of SNMs in medicine-taking where possible. Future research should explore the implications of network types and compositions on medicine-taking and associated work.
OBJECTIVES: There is a lack of focus on the broader social context, networks and influences on medicine-taking as part of illness work. This work adopts a social network approach and seeks to explicate the nature of medicine-taking work that people with multiple long-term conditions (LTCs) and their social network members (SNMs) do in attempting to take their medications on a daily basis, the division of labour amongst these members and when and why SNMs become involved in that work. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 people who had multiple LTCs. Medication networks were constructed and the division of labour in relation to medication-work was explored. RESULTS: Four types of medication-work emerged: medication articulation, surveillance, emotional and informational. Involvement of SNMs in medication-work was selective, performed primarily by family members, within the home. Involvement reflected network composition and/or an individual's conceptualisation/presentation of self. DISCUSSION: Our findings support and extend the conceptualisation of routine medicine-taking as a type of work. Furthermore, we illustrate the involvement of SNMs in aspects of medicine-work. Health professionals should explore and support the role of SNMs in medicine-taking where possible. Future research should explore the implications of network types and compositions on medicine-taking and associated work.
Authors: Joanne Reeve; Michelle Maden; Ruaraidh Hill; Amadea Turk; Kamal Mahtani; Geoff Wong; Dan Lasserson; Janet Krska; Dee Mangin; Richard Byng; Emma Wallace; Ed Ranson Journal: Health Technol Assess Date: 2022-07 Impact factor: 4.106
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