Perspectives of Older Adults on Polypharmacy & Medicines Optimization
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring Perspectives of Older Adults with Polypharmacy and Multiple long-term conditions on Medicines and Medication Optimisation Processes
IRAS ID
352909
Contact name
Arun Vamadevan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Salford
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 30 days
Research summary
This project aims to understand and improve how older adults manage taking multiple medications for their long-term health conditions, a practice called "medicines optimisation." As people age and are prescribed more medications, it can become difficult to keep track of them, understand their purpose, and stick to complex routines. This study focuses on learning directly from older adults about their experiences with medications to find ways to make the process safer, easier, and better suited to their daily lives.
The study will explore how older adults feel about the medications they take, including their effectiveness and necessity. It will also examine what makes them open to changes in their medication routines and how much they want to be involved in making those decisions. Shared decision-making, where patients and healthcare providers work together to choose the best plan, is an essential part of good care. However, deciding whether to continue or stop a medication can be challenging for both patients and providers, as each decision depends on personal health needs and values.
Many studies measure health outcomes using numbers and statistics, but they don’t always capture personal experiences. This project aims to fill that gap by hearing directly from older adults about what helps them and what they struggle with. These insights can help healthcare providers better understand patients’ needs and improve medication practices. The findings could also influence healthcare policies and clinical care, making guidelines more focused on the daily challenges older adults face when managing multiple medications.
By listening to older adults’ perspectives, this project aims to create a healthcare approach that respects their needs, simplifies their routines, and improves their health and quality of life, especially for those living with polypharmacy and multiple long-term conditions.
REC name
London - Queen Square Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/PR/0417
Date of REC Opinion
18 May 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion