Ana Isabel Plácido1, Maria Teresa Herdeiro2, João Lindo Simões3, Odete Amaral4, Adolfo Figueiras5,6,7, Fátima Roque8,9,10. 1. Research Unit for Inland Development, Polytechnic of Guarda (UDI-IPG), Avenida Dr. Francisco Sá Carneiro, n. ° 50, 6300-559, Guarda, Portugal. 2. Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED) and Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal. 3. Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED) and School of Health Sciences, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal. 4. Health Sciences School, Polytechnic of Viseu, R. D. João Crisostomo Gomes de Almeida, n.° 102, 3500-843, Viseu, Portugal. 5. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain. 6. Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública-CIBERESP), Santiago de Compostela, Spain. 7. Institute of Health Research of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain. 8. Research Unit for Inland Development, Polytechnic of Guarda (UDI-IPG), Avenida Dr. Francisco Sá Carneiro, n. ° 50, 6300-559, Guarda, Portugal. froque@ipg.pt. 9. Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior (CICS-UBI), Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506, Covilhã, Portugal. froque@ipg.pt. 10. Escola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico da Guarda Rua da Cadeia, 6300-035, Guarda, Portugal. froque@ipg.pt.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Polymedicated older patients are at greater risk of suffering from adverse events. For this reason, the detection of both inappropriate polypharmacy and polypharmacy-associated Drug-Related Problems (DRPs) are essential to improve the health and wellbeing of older adults and to reduce healthcare costs. This work aims to explore health professionals' perceptions and opinions about polypharmacy and the handling of medicines by polymedicated older adults. METHODS: Thirteen focus groups with 94 health professionals (20 community pharmacists, 40 general practitioners and, 34 nurses) were conducted in primary healthcare centers of the center region of Portugal. Participants were asked to discuss their perceptions and beliefs concerning DRPs in polymedicated older adults. The sessions were audiotaped. After the transcription and coding of focus group sessions, a thematic analysis was done. RESULTS: The following four main themes emerged from the 13 focus group sessions: poor compliance and polypharmacy- A perpetuated vicious cycle, organization of the healthcare system, interaction and communication between the health professionals, and strategies to prevent inappropriate polypharmacy. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of both an efficient network of information and Interaction and communication between Health professionals makes the detection and/ or prevention of polypharmacy in older adults difficult. The implementation of new models to manage and/or prevent polypharmacy based on health professional perception and beliefs is essential to prevent DRPs and improve compliance among older adults.
BACKGROUND: Polymedicated older patients are at greater risk of suffering from adverse events. For this reason, the detection of both inappropriate polypharmacy and polypharmacy-associated Drug-Related Problems (DRPs) are essential to improve the health and wellbeing of older adults and to reduce healthcare costs. This work aims to explore health professionals' perceptions and opinions about polypharmacy and the handling of medicines by polymedicated older adults. METHODS: Thirteen focus groups with 94 health professionals (20 community pharmacists, 40 general practitioners and, 34 nurses) were conducted in primary healthcare centers of the center region of Portugal. Participants were asked to discuss their perceptions and beliefs concerning DRPs in polymedicated older adults. The sessions were audiotaped. After the transcription and coding of focus group sessions, a thematic analysis was done. RESULTS: The following four main themes emerged from the 13 focus group sessions: poor compliance and polypharmacy- A perpetuated vicious cycle, organization of the healthcare system, interaction and communication between the health professionals, and strategies to prevent inappropriate polypharmacy. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of both an efficient network of information and Interaction and communication between Health professionals makes the detection and/ or prevention of polypharmacy in older adults difficult. The implementation of new models to manage and/or prevent polypharmacy based on health professional perception and beliefs is essential to prevent DRPs and improve compliance among older adults.
Entities:
Keywords:
Drug-related problems; Health professionals; Medication management; Older adults; Polypharmacy
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