A qualitative exploration of medication discussions in nursing home care conferences

Nursing homes (NHs) are crucial in supporting vulnerable older adults, many of whom use medications to manage chronic conditions. Care conferences (CCs) bring together NH staff, residents, and family members to discuss care plans. Given the central role of medications in NH care, how they are addressed during CCs can affect safety, adherence, and care quality. However, the contents and participants of these discussions are unclear. This study aimed to describe medication topics discussed in NH CCs and key stakeholder participation.

Fifteen CCs, conducted at a 42-bed, nonprofit, primarily short-stay NH facility in the Midwestern United States, were audio-recorded. Participants included residents, family members, and NH staff. Transcripts were subjected to conventional content analysis to identify medication discussion topics and the proportion of participants involved in these discussions.

Of the 15 CCs analyzed, 14 included medication discussions. Three major topic categories were identified: medication check-in, medication coordination, and medication discharge preparation. Residents showed consistently high involvement across all categories. Nurses were most actively involved in the first two topic categories, whereas social workers and therapists became more actively involved in medication discharge preparation. Family members demonstrated low overall involvement but participated more frequently as discussions shifted toward post-discharge care.

This study provides initial insights into how medications are addressed in NH CCs and the roles of stakeholders in these discussions. Understanding these dynamics is essential for improving communication, medication safety, and care transitions. Future studies should explore factors shaping engagement and their effect on resident outcomes.