Older patient and family discharge medication communication: A mixed-methods study

Medication discrepancies place patients discharged from hospital at risk of adverse medication events. Patient and family participation in medication communication may improve medication safety. This study aimed to examine older medical patient and family participation in discharge medication communication.

Two-phased mixed-methods study. Data were collected from July 2018 to May 2019. Phase 1 comprised observations and a questionnaire of 30 patients pre-hospital discharge. Phase 2 involved telephone interviews with 11 patients and family members post-hospital discharge. Phase 1 analysis included descriptive statistics and deductive content analysis. Inductive content analysis was used in Phase 2. Phase 1 and 2 findings were integrated.

For Phase 1, observational data were deductively coded against the "continuum of patient participation"; information-giving was the most frequent level of participation observed on the continuum, followed by information-seeking, shared decision making, non-involved, and finally autonomous decision making. For descriptive statistics, written communication tools, noise, and interruptions were frequently observed during medication communication. In Phase 2, three categories were found about how patients and families participate, and the factors influencing their participation: (a) obtaining comprehensive medication information; (b) preferred approaches for receiving information; and (c) speaking about medications in hospital. Integrated findings showed that written communication tools and routine hospital tasks may promote, while lack of family presence and environmental factors may hinder medication communication. Patients' and families' role in medication communication ranged from asking questions to influencing decisions, and was enhanced by health care professionals' patient-centred communication.

More active patient and family participation could be achieved by encouraging them to identify medication-related problems. To create a climate for patient and family participation, health care professionals should use written communication tools, capitalize on participation opportunities during routine hospital tasks, and use patient-centred communication.