Medication use problems and factors affecting older adults in primary healthcare.

Challenges Community pharmacies Health clinics Issues Services

Journal

Research in social & administrative pharmacy : RSAP
ISSN: 1934-8150
Titre abrégé: Res Social Adm Pharm
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 101231974

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
Dec 2023
Historique:
received: 14 05 2023
revised: 01 08 2023
accepted: 08 08 2023
pubmed: 14 8 2023
medline: 14 8 2023
entrez: 13 8 2023
Statut: ppublish

Résumé

As the largest demographic group utilizing primary healthcare facilities, older adults often face the challenge of managing multiple chronic illnesses, leading to numerous medications. The present study aims to assess medication use problems among older adults and explore the factors affecting them in primary healthcare settings. A mixed-method study was conducted to establish a baseline understanding of the perspectives and challenges faced by older adults, with regards to medication use. Translated Medication Use Questionnaire (MedUseQ), a patient-centered tool, was distributed to older adults above 60 in primary healthcare settings to assess their frequency of problems related to medication use. Fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore this topic in depth. Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted with quantitative data. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, and thematic analysis was conducted. Quantitative and qualitative findings data were triangulated. The study involved 393 participants. The most common problems with regards to medication use were polypharmacy (55.4%), administration difficulties (48.4%), limited awareness about adverse drug events (47.3%), issues with adherence (46.5%), and accessibility to primary healthcare (42.7%). Approximately 55% were satisfied with the older adult-centered medication use services by pharmacist and doctors. The qualitative findings showed that major factors affecting medication use were forgetfulness, language barriers, lack of awareness, transportation problems, long waiting times, and multiple visits to healthcare facilities. The findings of this study reveal that a significant proportion, around 50%, of the older adult population face challenges with medication use in Penang. These difficulties mainly stem from medication administration, adherence, accessibility, polypharmacy, and inadequate medication knowledge. The qualitative analysis further highlighted several factors that contribute to such medication-related problems. Given the rapidly aging Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) population, it is essential to devise effective solutions and strategies to tackle medication use-related issues among older adults.

Sections du résumé

BACKGROUND BACKGROUND
As the largest demographic group utilizing primary healthcare facilities, older adults often face the challenge of managing multiple chronic illnesses, leading to numerous medications.
OBJECTIVE OBJECTIVE
The present study aims to assess medication use problems among older adults and explore the factors affecting them in primary healthcare settings.
METHODS METHODS
A mixed-method study was conducted to establish a baseline understanding of the perspectives and challenges faced by older adults, with regards to medication use. Translated Medication Use Questionnaire (MedUseQ), a patient-centered tool, was distributed to older adults above 60 in primary healthcare settings to assess their frequency of problems related to medication use. Fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore this topic in depth. Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted with quantitative data. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, and thematic analysis was conducted. Quantitative and qualitative findings data were triangulated.
RESULTS RESULTS
The study involved 393 participants. The most common problems with regards to medication use were polypharmacy (55.4%), administration difficulties (48.4%), limited awareness about adverse drug events (47.3%), issues with adherence (46.5%), and accessibility to primary healthcare (42.7%). Approximately 55% were satisfied with the older adult-centered medication use services by pharmacist and doctors. The qualitative findings showed that major factors affecting medication use were forgetfulness, language barriers, lack of awareness, transportation problems, long waiting times, and multiple visits to healthcare facilities.
CONCLUSION CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study reveal that a significant proportion, around 50%, of the older adult population face challenges with medication use in Penang. These difficulties mainly stem from medication administration, adherence, accessibility, polypharmacy, and inadequate medication knowledge. The qualitative analysis further highlighted several factors that contribute to such medication-related problems. Given the rapidly aging Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) population, it is essential to devise effective solutions and strategies to tackle medication use-related issues among older adults.

Identifiants

pubmed: 37574369
pii: S1551-7411(23)00343-1
doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2023.08.001
pii:
doi:

Types de publication

Journal Article

Langues

eng

Sous-ensembles de citation

IM

Pagination

1520-1530

Informations de copyright

Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Auteurs

Christina Malini Christopher (CM)

School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. Electronic address: christina.christopher@monash.edu.

Ali Qais Blebil (AQ)

School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia; Department of Pharmacy, Al Rafidain University College, Baghdad, Iraq.

K C Bhuvan (KC)

School of Clinical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia; College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.

Deepa Alex (D)

Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia; Department of Geriatrics and Healthy Living, KIMSHEALTH, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.

Mohamed Izham Mohamed Ibrahim (MI)

Clinical Pharmacy and Practice Department, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.

Norhasimah Ismail (N)

Bayan Lepas Health Clinic, Ministry of Health, Malaysia.

Mark Cheong Wing Loong (M)

School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.

Classifications MeSH