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German healthcare professionals' perspective on implementing recommendations about polypharmacy in general practice:
Cornelia Straßner1, Jost Steinhäuser2, Tobias Freund1
1Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
Family Practice
|December 22, 2017
Summary
Implementing polypharmacy management requires addressing factors beyond pharmacological knowledge. This study identified 93 determinants, highlighting the need for improved communication, patient involvement, and practice organization for better medication management.
Area of Science:
- General Practice
- Health Services Research
- Implementation Science
Background:
- Key recommendations for managing polypharmacy include structured medication counselling (SMC), medication lists, and systematic medication reviews.
- Polypharmacy management is a significant challenge in general practice, impacting patient outcomes and healthcare costs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify hindering and facilitating factors for implementing polypharmacy management recommendations in German general practice.
- To inform tailored interventions for improving the uptake of evidence-based polypharmacy management strategies.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study using interviews and focus groups with various healthcare professionals in German general practice.
- Content analysis of collected data, categorized using the Tailoring Interventions for Chronic Diseases (TICD) checklist.
Main Results:
- 93 determinants were identified, relating to medication counselling, medication lists, and medication reviews.
- Determinants spanned all 7 main domains and 25 subdomains of the TICD checklist, including guideline, patient, professional, and organizational factors.
Conclusions:
- Effective polypharmacy management interventions must extend beyond pharmacological knowledge.
- Addressing communication skills, patient involvement, and practice organization is crucial for successful implementation.
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