Medicine Management in Older People from Non‐English Speaking Backgrounds

Abstract

ABSTRACTAimTo examine medicine management in older people from non‐English speaking backgrounds (NESB) after discharge from hospital.MethodA literature review, followed by focus group discussions with hospital clinicians. Patients 70 years and over from Greek, Chinese, Russian and English speaking backgrounds were interviewed. Case histories were developed based on the interviews and a review of the patients' medical records. Data were clustered and themes extracted. Educational resources were produced for clinicians comprising an action guide and a composite audiovisual case study. These resources were used in further focus group discussions with hospital clinicians to determine current practice for identifying and managing medication management risks for patients from NESB.ResultsMajor themes identified included: patients' lack of knowledge about medications and medication changes; interpreter services not used routinely; and inadequate communication between health professionals. There was little evidence of systematic, standardised processes for identifying people at risk of medicine mismanagement or for the implementation of actions to minimise risks.ConclusionThere is a need for effective communication about medications, particularly when patients are transferred from hospital to the community. For people from NESB, this also includes the use of interpreters and translated educational material. A patient journey map and medicine management action guide provides a framework for clinicians to optimise safe medicine management and continuity of care.