scholarly journals Improving Patient-Pharmacist Encounters with Over-The-Counter Medications: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Aaron Gilson ◽  
Ka Xiong ◽  
Jamie Stone ◽  
Nora Jacobson ◽  
Cynthia Phelan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Pharmacy Staff ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Medication Selection ◽  
Medication Decisions ◽  
The Impact

Background and Objectives: Over-the-counter (OTC) medication use has increased safety risks for adults older than 65.  Most older adults purchase OTC medications from community pharmacies, where the considerable distance or visual obstructions between the prescription area and OTC aisles undermine pharmacists’ ability to assist patients with OTC medication decisions.  An innovative redesign of an abbreviated medication section specifically for older adults (called the Senior SectionTM) can facilitate pharmacy staff/patient interaction, potentially improving safe medication selection and use.  This study evaluated the impact of the Senior Section on the frequency and content of OTC encounters between pharmacy staff and patients. Research Design and Methods: An intervention mixed-methods design generated data from patient OTC encounters, and interviews with two pharmacists and two technicians, throughout the study.  NVivo was used to code interview transcripts, and frequencies and chi-square analyses demonstrated pre/post-intervention comparisons for the OTC encounter variables. Results: After Senior Section implementation, pharmacy staff were more likely to initiate (and be involved in) patient encounters, address more topics or problem/symptoms, provide details about OTC products, discuss appropriateness of OTC use, and discuss medication classes highlighted in the Senior Section.  Pharmacy staff were less likely to need to leave the prescription department for extended periods; they also had fewer prolonged encounters or encounters about product location.  Importantly, the Senior Section did not impede pharmacy workflow. Discussion and Implications: The Senior Section prompted more frequent, effective, and efficient engagements between pharmacy staff and patients, which may substantially reduce OTC-related harms among older adults.   Article Type: Original Research

scholarly journals Promoting Problem Solving About Health Management: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Evaluation of a Digital Health Intervention for Older Adults With Pre-Frailty and Frailty

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 233372142098568
Author(s):  
Annie T. Chen ◽  
Frances Chu ◽  
Andrew K. Teng ◽  
Soojeong Han ◽  
Shih-Yin Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Health Related

Background: There is a need for interventions to promote health management of older adults with pre-frailty and frailty. Technology poses promising solutions, but questions exist about effective delivery. Objectives: We present the results of a mixed-methods pilot evaluation of Virtual Online Communities for Older Adults (VOCALE), an 8-week intervention conducted in the northwestern United States, in which participants shared health-related experiences and applied problem solving skills in a Facebook group. Methods: We performed a mixed-methods process evaluation, integrating quantitative and qualitative data, to characterize the intervention and its effects. We focus on four areas: health-related measures (health literacy and self-efficacy), participation, problem solving skills enacted, and subjective feedback. Results: Eight older adults with pre-frailty and frailty (age = 82.7 ± 6.6 years) completed the study. There was an upward trend in health literacy and health self-efficacy post-intervention. Participants posted at least two times per week. Content analysis of 210 posts showed participants were able to apply the problem solving skills taught, and exit interviews showed participants’ increased awareness of the need to manage health, and enjoyment in learning about others. Conclusion: This mixed-methods evaluation provides insight into feasibility and design considerations for online interventions to promote health management among vulnerable older adults.

The impact of an education intervention on the approach of hospital staff to patients with dementia in a Danish general hospital setting: An explanatory sequential mixed-methods study

2021 ◽  
pp. 205715852110229
Author(s):  
Annemarie Toubøl ◽  
Lene Moestrup ◽  
Katja Thomsen ◽  
Jesper Ryg ◽  
Dennis Lund Hansen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
General Hospital ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Education Intervention ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Sequential Mixed Methods ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Dementia Education

The number of patients with dementia admitted to hospitals is increasing. However, the care and treatment of these patients tends to be suboptimal. A response to this is a widespread implementation of educational initiatives. Nevertheless, the effect of such initiatives is questioned. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of a dementia education intervention by examining the self-reported outcomes of general hospital staff and exploring the staff’s experiences of these outcomes. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design framed the study method. The quantitative data collection included repeated questionnaires: pre-intervention ( n = 849), one month post-intervention ( n = 618), and five months post-intervention ( n = 468) followed by a qualitative data collection using interviews ( n = 16). The GRAMMS guideline was followed. The integration of the quantitative and qualitative results suggests that the impact of the education intervention can be ascribed to the interdisciplinary focus, which facilitated a comprehensive commitment to creating careful solutions for patients with dementia. A prioritization of person over task seems to be assisted by an improved interdisciplinary cooperation initiated by the inclusion of all employed staff at the hospital in a dementia education intervention.

scholarly journals THE IMPACT OF AN EDUCATION INTERVENTION: IMPROVING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN OLDER ADULTS AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S909-S909
Author(s):  
Janna Heyman ◽  
Linda White-Ryan ◽  
Peggy Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Educational Intervention ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Medication Use ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Medical Needs ◽  
The Impact

Abstract As people age, ensuing physical and psychological problems can increase, which makes it paramount to be comfortable discussing medical needs with health care professionals, particularly in light of the danger associated with misunderstanding medication use and combining alcohol with prescriptions and/or over the counter medications (National Institute on Aging, 2018). National studies found that about 40 percent of adults ages 65 and older drink alcohol and often do not understand the dangers of combining alcohol with medications (National Institute for Alcohol and Alcohol Abuse, 2008). An educational intervention was developed with a team of expert physicians, nurses, pharmacists and social workers who work in gerontology to focus on improving communication and addressing alcohol and medication use for older adults. A randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess whether the educational intervention improved older adults’ comfort in communicating with their health care providers, as well as their knowledge of the concomitant use of alcohol and prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Results of a MANCOVA showed that those in the intervention group showed larger increases in scores on communication with their health providers and knowledge about the implications of combining alcohol with prescription drugs than those in the control group (Wilks’ Lamda=.808, F(3,76)=6.039, p=.001<.05). In addition, linear regression models showed that the intervention was significantly associated with participants’ knowledge of the implications of combining alcohol with prescription drugs. The coefficient across models was approximately 1.00, which represented a substantial increase given the average score of 6.5.

Multicomponent exercise program in older adults with lung cancer during adjuvant/palliative treatment: A secondary analysis of an intervention study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
N. Martínez-Velilla ◽  
M.L. Saez de Asteasu ◽  
R. Ramírez-Vélez ◽  
I.D. Rosero ◽  
A. Cedeño-Veloz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Palliative Treatment ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Exercise Programme ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Frailty Status ◽  
The Impact

Background: Lung cancer is the second most prevalent common cancer in the world and predominantly affects older adults. This study aimed to examine the impact of an exercise programme in the use of health resources in older adults and to assess their changes in frailty status. Design: This is a secondary analysis of a quasi-experimental study with a non-randomized control group. Setting: Oncogeriatrics Unit of the Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Spain. Participants: Newly diagnosed patients with NSCLC stage I–IV. Intervention: Multicomponent exercise programme that combined resistance, endurance, balance and flexibility exercises. Each session lasted 45–50 minutes, and the exercise protocol was performed twice a week over 10 weeks. Measurements: Mortality, readmissions and Visits to the Emergency Department. Change in frailty status according to Fried, VES-13 and G-8 scales. Results: 26 patients completed the 10-weeks intervention (IG). Mean age in the control group (CG) was 74.5 (3.6 SD) vs 79 (3 SD) in the IG, and 78,9% were male in the IG vs 71,4% in the CG. No major adverse events or health-related issues attributable to the testing or training sessions were noted. Significant between-group differences were obtained on visits to the emergency department during the year post-intervention (4 vs 1; p:0.034). No differences were found in mortality rate and readmissions, where an increasing trend was observed in the CG compared with the IG in the latter (2 vs 0; p 0.092). Fried scale was the unique indicator that seemed to be able to detect changes in frailty status after the intervention. Conclusions: A multicomponent exercise training programme seems to reduce the number of visits to the emergency department at one-year post-intervention in older adults with NSCLC during adjuvant therapy or palliative treatment, and is able to modify the frailty status when measured with the Fried scale.

scholarly journals The Impact of a Telehealth Intervention on Activity Profiles in Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Pilot Study

Geriatrics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 68
Author(s):  
Nathaniel Johnson ◽  
Adam Bradley ◽  
Lukus Klawitter ◽  
Jane Johnson ◽  
Lance Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Computer Time ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Telehealth Intervention ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Impact

Background: Physical inactivity during the COVID-19 pandemic is a public health concern for older adults. Telehealth presents a safe platform for conducting health-related interventions that may have additional benefits such as widespread reach. Our pilot study sought to examine how a telehealth intervention changed activity profiles in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: There were n = 13 adults aged 70.6 ± 4.5 years that participated in a 6 week telehealth intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic. The didactic intervention contents were shared online, and participants worked with trained interviewers over the telephone to discuss physical activity. At baseline and post-intervention, the Multimedia Activity Recall for Children and Adults examined activity profiles, while accelerometry estimated time spent sedentary and in physical activity. Results: Relative to the baseline measures, there was an 88 min/day (95% confidence interval (CI): 39, 137) increase in computer time and 36 min/day (CI: 10, 62) reduction in time spent in active transport at post-intervention. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity participation also increased by an estimated 2 min/day (CI: −21, 26) and 12 min/week (CI: −154, 180), but this trend was not statistically significant. Conclusion: We recommend that support be provided to older adults transitioning to telehealth, especially as migration to telehealth progresses.

scholarly journals Evaluating Safety Practices Associated With Use of Household Pesticides: An Interventional Study in Kurmin Mashi Rural Community, Kaduna, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-285
Author(s):  
U.D. Adje ◽  
T.O. Aremu
Keyword(s):  
Educational Intervention ◽  
Major Constituent ◽  
P Value ◽  
Pesticide Use ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Handling Practices ◽  
Safety Considerations ◽  
Use Behavior ◽  
The Impact

Many households in developing countries routinely use pesticides without any safety considerations. The objective of this study was to determine types of pesticides and pesticide-use practices of the residents, to determine self-reported adverse effects resulting from pesticide use and to assess the impact of educational intervention on pesticide use behavior in the study area. Commercially available pesticide samples were collected from pesticide vendors in the area. Pre -tested questionnaires were distributed to 375 family heads. Data was expressed as frequency and percentages.Educational intervention on safe pesticide use was carried out. Pre and post intervention behavior were compared using paired t test. Relationship between demographic variables and pesticide use practices were explored using Chi Square statistics. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Prevalent pests were mosquitoes, cockroaches, rats, bedbugs, ants, termites, houseflies, ticks and scorpion. The major constituent of pesticides in this environment was Dichlorvos (DDVP). Many commercially available pesticides were unlabeled. Nearly half, 48.8% had used pesticides in the home. More than three quarters, 78.7% indicated that they read instructions before using pesticides. More than one third, 36% had experienced health problems attributed to pesticide use. Many locally available pesticides were unlabeled. Majority of labelled pesticides contained mainly Diclorvos (DDPV). Unsafe pesticide handling practices were common. The most common self -reported adverse effect was respiratory symptoms. Educational intervention increased in the proportion of respondents that used of non-chemical methods and adopted safer pesticide use practices. Keywords: Pesticides, Diclorvos (DDPV), Educational Intervention, Pharmacist, Nigeria

scholarly journals Impact of a pilot community pharmacy system redesign on reducing over-the-counter medication misuse in older adults

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron M. Gilson ◽  
Jamie A. Stone ◽  
Ashley O. Morris ◽  
Roger L. Brown ◽  
Ka Z Xiong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Propensity Score ◽  
Propensity Score Matching ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Drug Misuse ◽  
Pharmacy Staff ◽  
Drug Label ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Medication Misuse ◽  
Hypothetical Scenario

AbstractObjectivesThis pilot study examines effectiveness of an innovative pharmacy design change on over-the-counter (OTC) medication misuse in older adults (ages ≥65). Few interventions have attempted to decrease older adult OTC misuse, and none have addressed system barriers. A structural redesign of the pharmacy (the Senior Section™) was conceptualized to increase awareness of higher-risk OTC medications. The Senior Section contains a curated selection of OTC medications (for pain, cough/cold, allergy, sleep) and is close to the prescription department to facilitate pharmacy staff/patient engagement to reduce misuse.MethodsA pre-/post-implementation design was used to recruit 87 older adults from three pharmacies. Using a hypothetical scenario, participants selected an OTC medication, which was compared to their medication list and health conditions, and their reported use was compared against the product labeling. Four misuse outcomes were determined: (1) Drug/Drug, (2) Drug/Disease, (3) Drug/Age, and (4) Drug/Label with five sub-types. Patient characteristics were collected and compiled into a propensity-score matching logistic regression model to estimate their effects on the Senior Section’s association with misuse outcomes at pre-/post-implementation.ResultsPatient characteristic were uniform between pre-/post-implementation and, once entered into a propensity-score matching model, Drug/Disease Misuse significantly lessened over time (z=-2.09, p=0.037). The Senior Section reduced Drug/Drug Misuse, but not significantly. Drug/Label Misuse varied according to the sub-type, with reduced Daily-Dosage (z=-2.42, p=0.016) and Single-Dosage misuse (z=-5.82, p=0.001); however, Timing/Frequency misuse increased (z=2.16, p=0.031).ConclusionsThese nascent outcomes support a well-conceived pharmacy-based OTC aisles redesign as valuable for reducing older adult OTC medication misuse. The Senior Section, when broadly implemented, would create new permanent structures and processes to assist older adults in accessing risk information for confidently selecting safer OTC medications.

scholarly journals HALO: Study protocol for a single-case experimental design study evaluating the moderating impact of a befriending intervention on the association between loneliness and health in older adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caoimhe Hannigan ◽  
Paul Hanly ◽  
Frank Kee ◽  
Brian Lawlor ◽  
Eimile Holton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Experimental Design ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Constructivist Grounded Theory ◽  
Mixed Methods Design ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Impact

Background: Loneliness in later life is often addressed with befriending interventions, yet evidence for their effectiveness is limited. Meanwhile it is known that loneliness has a deleterious impact on health. The aim of the study is to evaluate whether a befriending service for older adults mitigates the impact of loneliness on health outcomes, and to identify mechanisms through which befriending interventions might impact upon health. Methods: A mixed methods design is used. The quantitative component utilises an AB single-case experimental design, to gather intensive longitudinal data. These data will be analysed using a generalised additive modelling approach. The qualitative component of the study uses semi-structured dyadic interviews, structured and analysed according to the principles of constructivist grounded theory. Findings will then be triangulated according to an existing mixed methods integration protocol. Discussion: This mixed methods design has the potential to inform national and international policy in relation to befriending interventions for older adults. In addition, there is the potential for study results to inform our theoretical understanding of the nature of the relationship between loneliness and health. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04301167 (10th March 2020). Protocol version 1.1, 26th June 2020.

scholarly journals A mixed methods case study exploring the impact of membership of a multi-activity, multicentre community group on social wellbeing of older adults

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabrielle Lindsay-Smith ◽  
Grant O’Sullivan ◽  
Rochelle Eime ◽  
Jack Harvey ◽  
Jannique G. Z. van Uffelen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Community Group ◽  
Mixed Methods Case Study ◽  
Social Wellbeing ◽  
The Impact
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