Abstract
BackgroundThe majority of retirement village residents are at risk of medication misadventure. In a recent survey of retirement village residents in Victoria, two-thirds had at least one medication-related risk factor, and hence were eligible to receive a government-subsidised Home Medicines Review (HMR). However, only 6% of eligible residents had received a HMR in the previous 12 months. Reasons for the poor uptake of HMR, and interventions for improving HMR uptake, have been identified and developed with input from stakeholders. The trial will test the effect of Pharmacist-conducted HMR to Address the Risk of Medication-related Events in Retirement Villages (PHARMER) in improving the uptake of HMRs among retirement village residents.Methods/DesignThis is a multicentre prospective cluster randomised controlled trial. Ten retirement villages in Victoria, Australia will be recruited for this trial. Retirement villages will be selected in consultation with the Residents of Retirement Villages Victoria Inc. (RRVV), based on geographical locations (e.g. northeast or southwest), size and other factors. Residents from selected villages will be recruited with the help of RRVV Resident Liaison Officers using a range of strategies. Randomisation will be by geographical location to minimise contamination. Participating villages and residents will be allocated to either Pharmacist Intervention Group (PIG) or Usual Care Group (UCG). Each group will include five retirement villages and will have at least 77 residents in total. The intervention (PHARMER) comprises educating residents regarding HMR, and using a risk assessment checklist by residents to notify their General Practitioners of their medication risk. Uptake of HMR and medication adherence will be assessed in both PIG and UCG at three and six months using telephone interviews and questionnaires.DiscussionThis study is the first to develop and test an intervention to improve the uptake of HMR among Australian residents in retirement villages, with a view to decreasing medication risk. A multi-faceted interventional approach will be used as suggested by stakeholders. The trial is expected to be complete by late 2011 and results will be available in 2012.Trial RegistrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12611000109909)
Highlights
The majority of retirement village residents are at risk of medication misadventure
This study is the first to develop and test an intervention to improve the uptake of Home Medicines Review (HMR) among Australian residents in retirement villages, with a view to decreasing medication risk
A previous study found that 41% of retirement village residents were using multiple medications including potentially inappropriate combinations, confirming that residents in retirement villages are at risk of medication misadventure [4]
Summary
To our knowledge this will be the first study to develop and test an intervention to improve the uptake of medication review services by retirement village residents in Australia, with a view to decreasing medication risk. We will use a multi-faceted interventional approach targeting residents and their health professionals for increasing the uptake of HMR, as suggested by stakeholders. The effectiveness of such interventions (patient education and GP feedback) in increasing the uptake of HMRs has been well-established [16,18]. Our study is endorsed and supported by RRVV and the Council on the Ageing Victoria (COTA). List of abbreviations HMR(s): Home Medicines Review(s); RLOs: Resident Liaison Officers; RRVV: Residents of Retirement Villages Victoria Inc.; COTA: Council on the Ageing Victoria; GP(s): general practitioner(s); RCT: Randomised Controlled Trial; PIG: Pharmacist Intervention Group; UCG: Usual Care Group; PCS: Physical Component Summary; MCS: Mental Component Summary; SF−12®® Health survey: Short Form−12®® Health Survey
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
