Pharmaceutical Care as Described by Home-Dwelling Older People in Finland

Pirkko Routasalo,Matti Viitanen,Sanna Hannukainen,Seija Arve,Sini Eloranta

doi:10.3390/medicina47110091

Pirkko Routasalo, Matti Viitanen + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina47110091

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Abstract

Pharmaceutical care is one of the most important therapeutic tools in older people care. The aim of this study was to describe the knowledge and attitudes of older home-dwelling people's about their perceptions of pharmaceutical care and use of medication. The data were collected using theme interviews with 16 older Finnish people (born 1920). Inductive content analysis was used in analyzing the data. Older people's knowledge about their pharmaceutical care varied widely: some had precise knowledge whereas others had none. Guidance in pharmaceutical care was not readily available. The interviewees took a positive attitude toward their pharmaceutical care and favored a minimum use of medication. Being able to cope independently with their pharmaceutical care strengthened the older people's sense of control over their lives. The study offers new knowledge about the significance of older people's individual pharmaceutical care at home. By listening to and utilizing older people's experiences, we can recognize the factors that promote the independent coping and inclusion of older people in their pharmaceutical care. This enables health care providers to increase the safety and quality of pharmaceutical care for older people.

Highlights

Pharmaceutical care is one of the most important therapeutic tools in older people’s care [1]
One-third of the participants reported that they had not received any guidance in pharmaceutical care except by reading the informative label of the drug: “I have read the instructions in the package” and “I have no idea about my drugs, I am dependent on others.”
The majority of interviewees had a positive attitude toward pharmaceutical care, which was considered a part of everyday routines

Summary

Introduction

Pharmaceutical care is one of the most important therapeutic tools in older people’s care [1]. Pharmaceutical care brings quality of life and welcome relief to older people, whereas adverse drug events are important causes of illness and death in this group [1]. Knowledge about personal medication and its possible side effects as well as trust in medication have helped the older people’s commitment to medication [7,8,9]. Older people trust their doctors’ expertise in medication. Older people feel that they are personally responsible for their drug use. For example, in Finnish home care, general practitioners and home care nurses make the care plans together, without the participation of older people themselves [10]

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