EDUCATING HOME CARE NURSES ABOUT DEPRESCRIBING APPROACHES TO PROMOTE ACTIVE LIVING OF FRAIL OLDER ADULTS AT HOME

Abstract

Deprescribing is considered to be an essential part of the prescribing process where healthcare providers carefully assess the need for backing off when medication dosages are too high, or stopping medications that are no longer needed on an ongoing basis. One important role of nurses in homecare is medication management, and therefore educational training must be developed to support homecare nurses in the development of their awareness and understanding of de-prescribing approaches to help enable the opportunities for active and independent living of the frail elders at home. This study used qualitative exploratory research design, consisting of two focus group interviews with eleven homecare nurses in Ontario, Canada. Content analysis method was used for data analysis process. The findings of the study illustrate that there is a need for undertaking deprescribing approach from homecare nurse’s perspective. Nurses indicated that lack of communication, education, and collaboration among inter-professional healthcare providers act as major barrier to practice safe deprescribing approaches. Furthermore, participants have acknowledged that there is a need for basic education of deprescribing for healthcare providers, informal caregivers, and older adults. The outcome of this project includes the development of innovative training tools that help support homecare nurses in identifying at risk older adults who are vulnerable in maintaining their independence in ADL and IADL due to polypharmacy. Our research will help lead to the future development of programs about safer medication management which will foster a supportive and collaborative relationship between the homecare team, frail elders and their informal caregivers.