Person-centred medication management in residential aged care homes: Gaps, opportunities, and challenges
Tracks
Ballroom 3
Meaningful engagement
Medications
Quality improvement
Residential
| Thursday, November 14, 2024 |
| 4:45 PM - 5:00 PM |
Speaker
Dr Sara Javanparast
Senior Research Fellow
University Of South Australia
Person-centred medication management in residential aged care homes: Gaps, opportunities, and challenges
Abstract
Introduction
Incorporating a person-centred approach to medication management in aged care homes ensures residents/families are involved in decisions about treatment options, understand potential benefits and risks, and be supported to provide feedback. This study, as part of a larger project focusing on the onsite pharmacist program in aged care homes, explored stakeholders’ perspectives about gaps, opportunities, and challenges in person-centred medication management in the setting.
Method
We conducted 60 semi-structured interviews with residents/families (n=12), aged care staff and managers (n=17), pharmacists (n=18), GPs (n=8), medical consultants (n=2) and individuals involved in medication policy (n=3). Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using inductive and deductive thematic analysis which was guided by Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research framework.
Results
There is a need among residents/families for improved medication knowledge, involvement in medication-related decisions and a desire for greater communication with health professionals. Aged care nurses are currently the primary point of contact and source of information about medications. There is limited understanding of the role of a pharmacist. Aged care staff and other health professionals reported challenges in communicating with residents about medication management, including time constraints, resident cognition, limited engagement from family members, and workforce shortages. Monitoring and evaluation of person-centred care was perceived as complex, requiring dedicated systems and resources to collect, document and report data from residents and health professionals.
Conclusion
There are opportunities, but also some challenges, for enhanced engagement with residents/families to ensure they are well informed and empowered to participate in decisions about their medications.
Incorporating a person-centred approach to medication management in aged care homes ensures residents/families are involved in decisions about treatment options, understand potential benefits and risks, and be supported to provide feedback. This study, as part of a larger project focusing on the onsite pharmacist program in aged care homes, explored stakeholders’ perspectives about gaps, opportunities, and challenges in person-centred medication management in the setting.
Method
We conducted 60 semi-structured interviews with residents/families (n=12), aged care staff and managers (n=17), pharmacists (n=18), GPs (n=8), medical consultants (n=2) and individuals involved in medication policy (n=3). Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using inductive and deductive thematic analysis which was guided by Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research framework.
Results
There is a need among residents/families for improved medication knowledge, involvement in medication-related decisions and a desire for greater communication with health professionals. Aged care nurses are currently the primary point of contact and source of information about medications. There is limited understanding of the role of a pharmacist. Aged care staff and other health professionals reported challenges in communicating with residents about medication management, including time constraints, resident cognition, limited engagement from family members, and workforce shortages. Monitoring and evaluation of person-centred care was perceived as complex, requiring dedicated systems and resources to collect, document and report data from residents and health professionals.
Conclusion
There are opportunities, but also some challenges, for enhanced engagement with residents/families to ensure they are well informed and empowered to participate in decisions about their medications.
Biography
Dr Sara Javanparast is a Senior Research Fellow at Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia. She has a medical background and a PhD in public health. Sara is a qualitative researcher with over 15 years of experience in public health and health services research. Her research interest and expertise are in the areas of health care access and equity particularly for population groups experiencing disadvantage, health policy, primary health care, aged care, palliative care, community development and patient-centred care, research co-design and social determinants of health. Sara has extensive experience in program evaluation. Between 2011 and 2013, she was the Deputy Director of the South Australian Community Health Research Unit (the evaluation arm of SA Health). Sara is currently leading the qualitative component of the PHARMA-Care project that aims to explore stakeholders' perspectives about medication management in residential aged care homes and the role of onsite pharmacists in improving the quality use of medicine.
Session Chair
Yulisna Mutia Sari
Assistant Professor/Research Fellow
Herb Feith Indonesian Engagement Centre, Monash University
