Exploring health professionals perceptions about drug related problems in older patients (ISoP18-1412)

Abstract

Background/Introduction: The high prevalence of chronic diseases in the elderly population leads to a wide use of drugs by this population. Older patients use, on average, 2–5 prescription drugs daily, and about 20–40%, use more than 5 medicines. Besides the high level of prescription, elderly drugs overuse are also related to higher frequency and drug intake for longer durations than clinically indicated. Drug related problems (DRP) are frequent in these patients, leading to inefficacy of treatment and to adverse drug reactions. Primary care physicians, nurses and community pharmacists have an important role in solving DRP among older patients not institutionalized. Objective/Aim: Explore primary care physicians, nurses and pharmacists, perceptions about drug related problems in older patients. Methods: A qualitative research in the form of focus group was developed with primary care physicians, nurses and community pharmacists. The sessions were moderated by a researcher, following a top guide, and were audio-recorded and transcribed by another researcher. The study was developed during May 2018. Participants were informed about the aim and methodology of the study. A signed informed consent was obtained from each one of the participants. The study was approved by the ethical committee of the Center Health Region of Portugal, and from the Portuguese Data Protection Authority. Results: Two focus groups were conducted with primary care physicians (n = 10), nurses (n = 4) and community pharmacists (n = 7). The main problems identified were duplication of medication (physicians attributed these problems to the generic medicines dispensing in pharmacies), drug interactions, and mistakes with drugs, during self-administration. Health professionals have the perception that patients’ mistakes with drugs are frequent because sometimes packages are similar, patients decline of cognitive function and forgetfulness, excessive and inadequate use of medicines boxes, with exposition of medicines to the inappropriate conditions. Conclusion: Physicians, nurses and pharmacists, recognize that drug related problems are frequent in older patients, but they tend to attribute causes to others (patients, other health professional, industry and to the health system organization).