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Knowledge and perspectives of Dutch home healthcare nurses regarding medication frequently used by older people
Author(s) -
Sino Carolien G.M.,
Munnik Aukje,
Schuurmans Marieke J.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
international journal of older people nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.707
H-Index - 29
eISSN - 1748-3743
pISSN - 1748-3735
DOI - 10.1111/j.1748-3743.2012.00336.x
Subject(s) - medicine , health care , older people , nursing , family medicine , health professionals , nursing homes , gerontology , economics , economic growth
sino c.g.m., munnik a. & schuurmans m.j. (2013) Knowledge and perspectives of Dutch home healthcare nurses regarding medication frequently used by older people. International Journal of Older People Nursing 8 , 131–138
doi:10.1111/j.1748‐3743.2012.00336.x Background. Home healthcare nurses in their roles as caregivers, educators and administrators of medications are particularly well positioned to act on a preventive way to be alert of adverse drug reactions. However, knowledge about medication and a professional attitude is required. Aim. To describe medication‐related knowledge and perspectives of Dutch home healthcare nurses regarding frequent used medication by older people. Method. A cross‐sectional study was conducted among home healthcare nurses (n=146) in the Netherlands based on the ten most frequently used drugs by older people. Finding. The mean score for total medication knowledge was 76.2% of the maximum score. Most home healthcare nurses (80.3%) felt responsible for improving older patients’ medication use. Three‐quarters of the home healthcare nurses agreed with the statement: “By taking appropriate action at the right time, I am able to prevent a medication‐related hospital admission”. Conclusion. Although most home healthcare nurses felt responsible for their older patients’ proper medication use and agreed with the statement that they played a role in preventing older patients’ medication‐related hospital admissions, their knowledge regarding medications could be improved. Implications for practice. Home healthcare nurses should profit as a professional from gaining more knowledge of medication frequently used by older people.