Abstract
Abstract Issue 10% patients over 75 and patients aged from 66 to 75 years with a chronic disease take more than 10 concomitant drugs. Polypharmacy is a consistent risk factor of adverse drug events for elderly patients. Adverse drug reactions prevention is a national priority in view of quality of life and healthcare system costs increase. Description In Normandy, since November 2015, various interventions such as confraternal talks or letters send to general practitioners (GPs) have been examined to optimize medication use in older adults. More than 16 drugs prescriptions were discussed with the family practitioner and a health insurance fund’s physician-advisor. In addition, a prescription profile in elderly patients was given to this GP. Recommendations for good practices are also reminded. Results 10 weeks of physicians prescriptions were studied during one year (from september 2015 to september 2016). 686 general practitioners (GPs) had at least one prescription over 16 drugs and 265 GPs had at least two prescriptions over 16 drugs. 166 confraternal talks or phone calls between health insurance doctors and GPs have been leaded with a medication review. 233 letters have been sent to physicians to improve prescribing. 46% of GPs received a physician-advisor led intervention. After these interventions, prescriptions drugs number has decreased (p < 0,001) and the number of GPs having more than 16 prescriptions drugs has also decreased (p = 0,27). There is no significant difference between confraternal talks and letters. However, the physicians are more confortable with the confraternal talks to discuss their prescriptions. Lessons Confraternal talks continued in 2017 with medication review and profile’s delivery. A two years follow-up on these accompanying interventions will be made to optimize drugs prescriptions use for elderly patients. Key messages The physicians are more confortable with the confraternal talks to discuss their prescriptions. There is no significant difference between confraternal talks and letters.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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.
