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GPs , medications and older people: A qualitative study of general practitioners' approaches to potentially inappropriate medications in older people
Author(s) -
Magin Parker,
Goode Susan,
Pond Dimity
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
australasian journal on ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1741-6612
pISSN - 1440-6381
DOI - 10.1111/ajag.12150
Subject(s) - beers criteria , thematic analysis , harm , medicine , medical prescription , qualitative research , global positioning system , older people , odds , polypharmacy , biopsychosocial model , family medicine , nursing , psychology , gerontology , psychiatry , social psychology , intensive care medicine , social science , telecommunications , logistic regression , sociology , computer science
Aim To explore the prescribing, and the rationale for this prescribing, of potentially inappropriate medications ( PIMs ) in older persons by A ustralian general practitioners ( GPs ). Methods This was a qualitative study employing semistructured interviews and thematic analysis. GPs who had patients taking at least one PIM were invited to participate. PIMs were defined by the B eers criteria. Results Twenty‐two GPs from four regions in three Australian states participated. While none were aware of the B eers criteria, participant GPs displayed good knowledge of the potential adverse effects of these medications. They were comfortable with the continued prescription of the medications. This was based on often quite complex harm‐benefit considerations of the biopsychosocial contexts of individual patients. Conclusions The concept of ‘appropriate’ versus ‘inappropriate’ medications implicit in classification systems such as the B eers criteria is at odds with complex considerations informing decision‐making prescribing PIMs in older persons.