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Pill for this and a pill for that: A cross‐sectional survey of use and understanding of medication among adults with multimorbidity
Author(s) -
Millar Elinor,
Gurney Jason,
Stanley James,
Stairmand Jeannine,
Davies Cheryl,
Semper Kelly,
Dowell Anthony,
Lawrenson Ross,
Mangin Dee,
Sarfati Diana
Publication year - 2019
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.12606
Subject(s) - pill , medicine , multimorbidity , cross sectional study , family medicine , polypharmacy , pediatrics , chronic disease , nursing , intensive care medicine , pathology
Objective To understand the challenges managing medication use and knowledge of people living with multimorbidity. Methods A cross‐sectional survey of 234 adults with multimorbidity, identified using retrospective hospital discharge data. Participants were recruited from two primary health organisations in New Zealand. Results Three quarters of participants (75%) were prescribed four or more medications, and one in four (27%) were prescribed eight or more medications. Participants reported knowing what their medications were for (88%, 95% CI 81.4–93.8) and when to take them (99%, 95% CI 97.5–99.9). However, over a fifth (22%, 95% CI 13.7–30.4) reported some problems managing multiple medications, and 40% (95% CI 30.2–50.2) reported a problem with side effects. Conclusion The results highlight the need to consider how prescribing can be adapted for people with multimorbidity and move beyond the application of multiple disease‐specific guidelines.