Clinical Interventions in Aging (May 2024)
Building Medication Profiles in the Elderly: a Qualitative Study Based on Medication Information Literacy in a Long-Term Care Facility
Abstract
Xiaoyu Zhou,1– 3 Fei Du,1– 3 Wei Peng,4 Li Bai,5 Leyi Peng,1– 3 Xiaorong Hou1– 3 1College of Medical Informatics, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People’s Republic of China; 2Medical Data Science Academy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People’s Republic of China; 3Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Clinical Big Data and Drug Evaluation, Chongqing, 400016, People’s Republic of China; 4The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, People’s Republic of China; 5Hospital of Zigong Mental Health Central, Sichuan, 643021, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Xiaorong Hou, Chongqing Medical University, No. 1, Medical College Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected]: Long-term care facilities are increasingly challenged with meeting the diverse healthcare needs of the elderly population, particularly concerning medication management. Understanding medication information literacy and behavior among this demographic is imperative. Therefore, this qualitative study aims to explore medication information literacy and develop distinct medication profiles among elderly long-term care residents.Material and Methods: In this study, we conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with 32 participants aged 65 or older residing in a long-term care facility. The interviews were designed to explore participants’ understanding of medication information, medication management practices, and experiences with healthcare providers. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the interview data, allowing for the identification of common patterns and themes related to medication-taking behavior among the elderly residents.Results: The thematic analysis revealed four distinct medication behavior profiles among the elderly long-term care residents: (1) Proactive Health Self-Managers, (2) Medication Information Adherents, (3) Experience-Based Medication Users, and (4) Nonadherent Medication Users. These findings provide valuable insights into the diverse approaches to medication management within long-term care facilities and underscore the importance of tailored interventions to support the specific needs of each profile.Conclusion: This study highlights the necessity for tailored medication education and support to optimize medication management for the elderly. With the aging population expansion, addressing the unique medication challenges within long-term care facilities becomes increasingly critical. This research contributes to ongoing endeavors to enhance healthcare services for the elderly, striving for safer and more effective medication-taking behavior.Keywords: medication information literacy, medication profile, long-term care facility, qualitative study, elderly
