Older Individuals’ Experiences of Medication Management and Care After Discharge from Hospital: An Interview Study

Abstract

Purpose: To develop an in-depth understanding of older individuals’ attitudes and perceptions of medication management and care after discharge from hospital-to-home. Patients and Methods: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with selected individuals 75 years and older, discharged from hospital within the last 6–12 months, living at home, and managing their own medications. Face-to-face interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analyzed with thematic analysis. Results: Among the 15 respondents, mean age was 83.5 years (range 75–95 years), 67% were women, and 60% lived alone. The majority (80%) managed their medications with a pill organizer or directly from the pill boxes, while 20% used dose dispensed medications. The analysis of the data led to six themes: Medication adherence, Personal responsibility, Transitions of care, Beliefs about medications, Participation (experience of participation, willingness to participate) and Accessibility (easier to reach hospital than primary care, navigating in the care system, continuity, personal chemistry). Conclusion: The included respondents who were older individuals, living at home and managing their own medications, expressed that they were medical adherent and self-managing. Two important aspects which were seen were difficulties to reach primary care on their own initiative and the lack of continuity with the same physician over a longer period of time.