Elinor Millar1, Jason Gurney1, James Stanley1, Jeannine Stairmand1, Cheryl Davies2, Kelly Semper1, Anthony Dowell3, Ross Lawrenson4, Dee Mangin5, Diana Sarfati1. 1. Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand. 2. Tū Kotahi Māori Asthma Trust, Lower Hutt, New Zealand. 3. Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand. 4. University of Waikato and Waikato District Health Board, Hamilton, New Zealand. 5. Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To understand the challenges managing medication use and knowledge of people living with multimorbidity. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 234 adults with multimorbidity, identified using retrospective hospital discharge data. Participants were recruited from two primary health organisations in New Zealand. RESULTS: Three quarters of participants (75%) were prescribed four or more medications, and one in four (27%) were prescribed eight or more medications. Participants reported knowing what their medications were for (88%, 95% CI 81.4-93.8) and when to take them (99%, 95% CI 97.5-99.9). However, over a fifth (22%, 95% CI 13.7-30.4) reported some problems managing multiple medications, and 40% (95% CI 30.2-50.2) reported a problem with side effects. CONCLUSION: The results highlight the need to consider how prescribing can be adapted for people with multimorbidity and move beyond the application of multiple disease-specific guidelines.
OBJECTIVE: To understand the challenges managing medication use and knowledge of people living with multimorbidity. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 234 adults with multimorbidity, identified using retrospective hospital discharge data. Participants were recruited from two primary health organisations in New Zealand. RESULTS: Three quarters of participants (75%) were prescribed four or more medications, and one in four (27%) were prescribed eight or more medications. Participants reported knowing what their medications were for (88%, 95% CI 81.4-93.8) and when to take them (99%, 95% CI 97.5-99.9). However, over a fifth (22%, 95% CI 13.7-30.4) reported some problems managing multiple medications, and 40% (95% CI 30.2-50.2) reported a problem with side effects. CONCLUSION: The results highlight the need to consider how prescribing can be adapted for people with multimorbidity and move beyond the application of multiple disease-specific guidelines.
Authors: Phyu Sin Aye; Oliver W Scott; J Mark Elwood; Diana Sarfati; Ross Lawrenson; Ian D Campbell; Marion Kuper-Hommel; Sandar Tin Tin Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-10-29 Impact factor: 3.390