Older patients’ experiences and needs regarding pharmacotherapeutic care in-hospital and after discharge

IF 2.9 2区医学 Q2 PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

Patient Education and Counseling Pub Date : 2025-03-15 DOI:10.1016/j.pec.2025.108754

Eline M.C. Engelen , Wilma Knol , Stephanie C.M. Wuyts , Darshana A. Theunissen , Ariel M. Vondeling , Sjacky Cooijmans , Noortje van Herwaarden , Cornelis Kramers , Patricia M.L.A. van den Bemt , Michiel A. van Agtmael , Marcel L. Bouvy

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective

This qualitative study explores the experiences and needs of older patients with polypharmacy regarding transitional pharmacotherapeutic care during hospital admission and following discharge, identifying areas for improvement.

Methods

A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with patients discharged from two Dutch hospitals (academic and non-academic). Patients were asked about their experiences and needs related to medication management, information provision, attitude towards medication changes, decision-making, interactions with healthcare providers and involvement of professional and non-professional support networks. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically using the Framework approach.

Results

Thirteen interviews were conducted. Patients reported diverse experiences and needs regarding transitional pharmacotherapeutic care. Three key themes emerged: patient context, trust in the healthcare system and collaborative decision-making. Participants showed a high level of trust in the organization of healthcare and varying awareness of the benefits of extensive collaboration between healthcare professionals across healthcare settings.

Conclusions

Patients’ experiences with pharmacotherapeutic care during hospital admission and following discharge were partly influenced by a high level of trust in the healthcare system. However, shortcomings were noted in adapting care to individual informational needs, patient contexts, and involvement in decision-making about medication changes.

Practice implications

To optimize patients’ experiences in pharmacotherapeutic transitional care, it is essential to balance patient autonomy with professional guidance in the development of new patient-centered medication optimization interventions. Healthcare professionals should ask and document patient preferences in communication and support regarding medication decisions. Clear communication about the role of each healthcare professional may enhance patient awareness of potential medication errors, as some patients now put their trust in the organization of healthcare.

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来源期刊

Patient Education and Counseling 医学-公共卫生、环境卫生与职业卫生

CiteScore

5.60

自引率

11.40%

发文量

384

审稿时长

46 days

期刊介绍： Patient Education and Counseling is an interdisciplinary, international journal for patient education and health promotion researchers, managers and clinicians. The journal seeks to explore and elucidate the educational, counseling and communication models in health care. Its aim is to provide a forum for fundamental as well as applied research, and to promote the study of organizational issues involved with the delivery of patient education, counseling, health promotion services and training models in improving communication between providers and patients.