Measuring Medication Self-Management Capacity: A Scoping Review of Available Instruments

Managing a medication regimen is a complex self-care activity that requires a high level of integration and coordination between cognitive and physical skills. This scoping review aims to identify available instruments designed to assess an adult individual's ability to manage a medication regimen independently and to identify reliable and valid tools to be used in clinical practice and research.

Five databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL Complete, PsycINFO, Embase, and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts) were searched to identify articles reporting the development of an instrument to assess medication self-management capacity in adults. The process included a broad initial search of the databases, followed by screening of titles and abstracts, and full review of relevant articles. For each instrument identified, characteristics, including validity and reliability assessments, were summarized.

Sixteen papers were identified that reviewed or described the development and/or validation of 26 instruments designed to assess medication self-management capacity. Most instruments were designed to identify cognitive and physical barriers to successful medication management, but there was inconsistency across instruments in the specific skills assessed and the assessment method used. Most instruments were validated by testing at least one related construct, such as cognitive function, activities of daily living or instrumental activities of daily living performance, or medication adherence.

Development of standardized instruments to quantify medication self-management capacity is still growing. The choice of instrument for use in a specific clinical or research setting will depend on the purpose for making the assessment and the population that it will be applied to. Results of this review can assist in selecting an appropriate instrument or guiding the development of new instruments for assessment of medication self-management capacity for specific clinical or research purposes.