Understanding the Need for Medication Management Education: A Qualitative Analysis

Area of Science:

• Occupational therapy
• Medication management
• Patient safety

Background:

• Medication management is complex, with potential for serious errors.
• Occupational therapy practitioners have a preventive role but limited involvement.
• Understanding current practices is key to expanding the occupational therapy role.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore occupational therapy practitioners' current medication management practices.
• To identify barriers and facilitators to increased occupational therapy involvement.
• To determine strategies for enhancing the occupational therapy role in medication management.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews.
• Twenty occupational therapy practitioners participated.
• Verbatim transcripts analyzed using Kiger and Varpio's six-step process.

Main Results:

• Three major themes emerged: educational needs of therapists, client/caregiver education needs, and desire for standardization.
• Some practitioners are skilled, but many require more training.
• Need for increased continuing education in medication management.

Conclusions:

• Occupational therapists need enhanced didactic and continuing education for medication management.
• Addressing educational gaps for both practitioners and clients/caregivers is essential.
• Standardization of practices could improve occupational therapy's role in medication safety.