Author
Listed:
- Pedro Simões
(Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
Personalized Health Care Unit Fundão, 6230-411 Fundão, Portugal)
- Nicole Foreman
(Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
District Hospital of Figueira da Foz, 3094-001 Figueira da Foz, Portugal)
- Beatriz Xavier
(Nursing School of Coimbra, 3000-232 Coimbra, Portugal
Health Sciences Research Unit: Nursing (UICISA: E), 3000-232 Coimbra, Portugal)
- Filipe Prazeres
(Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
Centre for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
Family Health Unit Beira Ria, 3830-596 Gafanha da Nazaré, Portugal)
- Tiago Maricoto
(Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
Family Health Unit Beira Ria, 3830-596 Gafanha da Nazaré, Portugal)
- Luiz Santiago
(Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
Center for Health Studies and Research (CEISUC), 3004-512 Coimbra, Portugal
Faculty of Medicine, General Practice, Family Medicine University Clinic, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal)
- José Augusto Simões
(Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
Centre for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal)
Abstract
The high prevalence of polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medications in the elderly makes them a vulnerable group to adverse drug events. Deprescribing is the medication review plus cessation of potentially inappropriate medications with a health professional’s help. Several barriers and enablers influence it, and its knowledge can help health professionals. The objective of the study is to understand the Portuguese elderly’s attitudes and ideas about polypharmacy and deprescription. We made a qualitative approach through a focus group with elderly patients from an adult daycare center with transcription and codification into themes and subthemes based on previous frameworks. Eleven elderly patients participated in the focus group. The identified elderly’s ideas and attitudes could be clustered into five main barriers: appropriateness, process, influences, fear, and habit, and five main enablers: appropriateness, process, influences, dislike, and cost. Although the elderly’s strong beliefs regarding medication benefits and necessity prevail, contrary opinions regarding lack of benefit/necessity, drug interaction/side effects, and medication complexity/number may influence their willingness to deprescribe positively. The health professional’s influence and the patient’s trust in their doctors were perceived essential for decision-making as either a barrier or an enabler. The medication benefit was a big barrier, and side effects/drug interaction experiences are an important enabler.
Suggested Citation
Pedro Simões & Nicole Foreman & Beatriz Xavier & Filipe Prazeres & Tiago Maricoto & Luiz Santiago & José Augusto Simões, 2022.
"The Elderly’s Thoughts and Attitudes about Polypharmacy and Deprescribing: A Qualitative Pilot Study in Portugal,"
Societies, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-12, November.
Handle:
RePEc:gam:jsoctx:v:12:y:2022:i:6:p:162-:d:974118
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