Older patients' experiences and needs regarding pharmacotherapeutic care in-hospital and after discharge

Eline M C Engelen; Wilma Knol; Stephanie C M Wuyts; Darshana A Theunissen; Ariel M Vondeling; Sjacky Cooijmans; Noortje van Herwaarden; Cornelis Kramers; Patricia M L A van den Bemt; Michiel A van Agtmael; Marcel L Bouvy

doi:10.1016/j.pec.2025.108754

Older patients' experiences and needs regarding pharmacotherapeutic care in-hospital and after discharge

Eline M C Engelen, Wilma Knol, Stephanie C M Wuyts, Darshana A Theunissen, Ariel M Vondeling, Sjacky Cooijmans, Noortje van Herwaarden, Cornelis Kramers, Patricia M L A van den Bemt, Michiel A van Agtmael, Marcel L Bouvy

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This qualitative study explores the experiences and needs of older patients with polypharmacy regarding transitional pharmacotherapeutic care during hospital admission and following discharge, identifying areas for improvement.

METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with patients discharged from two Dutch hospitals (academic and non-academic). Patients were asked about their experiences and needs related to medication management, information provision, attitude towards medication changes, decision-making, interactions with healthcare providers and involvement of professional and non-professional support networks. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically using the Framework approach.

RESULTS: Thirteen interviews were conducted. Patients reported diverse experiences and needs regarding transitional pharmacotherapeutic care. Three key themes emerged: patient context, trust in the healthcare system and collaborative decision-making. Participants showed a high level of trust in the organization of healthcare and varying awareness of the benefits of extensive collaboration between healthcare professionals across healthcare settings.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients' experiences with pharmacotherapeutic care during hospital admission and following discharge were partly influenced by a high level of trust in the healthcare system. However, shortcomings were noted in adapting care to individual informational needs, patient contexts, and involvement in decision-making about medication changes.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: To optimize patients' experiences in pharmacotherapeutic transitional care, it is essential to balance patient autonomy with professional guidance in the development of new patient-centered medication optimization interventions. Healthcare professionals should ask and document patient preferences in communication and support regarding medication decisions. Clear communication about the role of each healthcare professional may enhance patient awareness of potential medication errors, as some patients now put their trust in the organization of healthcare.

Original language	English
Article number	108754
Journal	Patient Education and Counseling
Volume	136
Early online date	15 Mar 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2025.108754
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 15 Mar 2025

Bibliographical note

Keywords

Inappropriate prescribing
Medication review
Older patients
Patient preferences
Polypharmacy
Shared decision making
Transitional care

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Engelen, E. M. C., Knol, W., Wuyts, S. C. M., Theunissen, D. A., Vondeling, A. M., Cooijmans, S., van Herwaarden, N., Kramers, C., van den Bemt, P. M. L. A., van Agtmael, M. A., & Bouvy, M. L. (2025). Older patients' experiences and needs regarding pharmacotherapeutic care in-hospital and after discharge. Patient Education and Counseling, 136, Article 108754. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2025.108754

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abstract = "OBJECTIVE: This qualitative study explores the experiences and needs of older patients with polypharmacy regarding transitional pharmacotherapeutic care during hospital admission and following discharge, identifying areas for improvement.METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with patients discharged from two Dutch hospitals (academic and non-academic). Patients were asked about their experiences and needs related to medication management, information provision, attitude towards medication changes, decision-making, interactions with healthcare providers and involvement of professional and non-professional support networks. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically using the Framework approach.RESULTS: Thirteen interviews were conducted. Patients reported diverse experiences and needs regarding transitional pharmacotherapeutic care. Three key themes emerged: patient context, trust in the healthcare system and collaborative decision-making. Participants showed a high level of trust in the organization of healthcare and varying awareness of the benefits of extensive collaboration between healthcare professionals across healthcare settings.CONCLUSIONS: Patients' experiences with pharmacotherapeutic care during hospital admission and following discharge were partly influenced by a high level of trust in the healthcare system. However, shortcomings were noted in adapting care to individual informational needs, patient contexts, and involvement in decision-making about medication changes.PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: To optimize patients' experiences in pharmacotherapeutic transitional care, it is essential to balance patient autonomy with professional guidance in the development of new patient-centered medication optimization interventions. Healthcare professionals should ask and document patient preferences in communication and support regarding medication decisions. Clear communication about the role of each healthcare professional may enhance patient awareness of potential medication errors, as some patients now put their trust in the organization of healthcare.",

keywords = "Inappropriate prescribing, Medication review, Older patients, Patient preferences, Polypharmacy, Shared decision making, Transitional care",

author = "Engelen, {Eline M C} and Wilma Knol and Wuyts, {Stephanie C M} and Theunissen, {Darshana A} and Vondeling, {Ariel M} and Sjacky Cooijmans and {van Herwaarden}, Noortje and Cornelis Kramers and {van den Bemt}, {Patricia M L A} and {van Agtmael}, {Michiel A} and Bouvy, {Marcel L}",

year = "2025",

month = mar,

day = "15",

doi = "10.1016/j.pec.2025.108754",

language = "English",

volume = "136",

journal = "Patient Education and Counseling",

issn = "0738-3991",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Older patients' experiences and needs regarding pharmacotherapeutic care in-hospital and after discharge

AU - Engelen, Eline M C

AU - Knol, Wilma

AU - Wuyts, Stephanie C M

AU - Theunissen, Darshana A

AU - Vondeling, Ariel M

AU - Cooijmans, Sjacky

AU - van Herwaarden, Noortje

AU - Kramers, Cornelis

AU - van den Bemt, Patricia M L A

AU - van Agtmael, Michiel A

AU - Bouvy, Marcel L

PY - 2025/3/15

Y1 - 2025/3/15

N2 - OBJECTIVE: This qualitative study explores the experiences and needs of older patients with polypharmacy regarding transitional pharmacotherapeutic care during hospital admission and following discharge, identifying areas for improvement.METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with patients discharged from two Dutch hospitals (academic and non-academic). Patients were asked about their experiences and needs related to medication management, information provision, attitude towards medication changes, decision-making, interactions with healthcare providers and involvement of professional and non-professional support networks. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically using the Framework approach.RESULTS: Thirteen interviews were conducted. Patients reported diverse experiences and needs regarding transitional pharmacotherapeutic care. Three key themes emerged: patient context, trust in the healthcare system and collaborative decision-making. Participants showed a high level of trust in the organization of healthcare and varying awareness of the benefits of extensive collaboration between healthcare professionals across healthcare settings.CONCLUSIONS: Patients' experiences with pharmacotherapeutic care during hospital admission and following discharge were partly influenced by a high level of trust in the healthcare system. However, shortcomings were noted in adapting care to individual informational needs, patient contexts, and involvement in decision-making about medication changes.PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: To optimize patients' experiences in pharmacotherapeutic transitional care, it is essential to balance patient autonomy with professional guidance in the development of new patient-centered medication optimization interventions. Healthcare professionals should ask and document patient preferences in communication and support regarding medication decisions. Clear communication about the role of each healthcare professional may enhance patient awareness of potential medication errors, as some patients now put their trust in the organization of healthcare.

AB - OBJECTIVE: This qualitative study explores the experiences and needs of older patients with polypharmacy regarding transitional pharmacotherapeutic care during hospital admission and following discharge, identifying areas for improvement.METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with patients discharged from two Dutch hospitals (academic and non-academic). Patients were asked about their experiences and needs related to medication management, information provision, attitude towards medication changes, decision-making, interactions with healthcare providers and involvement of professional and non-professional support networks. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically using the Framework approach.RESULTS: Thirteen interviews were conducted. Patients reported diverse experiences and needs regarding transitional pharmacotherapeutic care. Three key themes emerged: patient context, trust in the healthcare system and collaborative decision-making. Participants showed a high level of trust in the organization of healthcare and varying awareness of the benefits of extensive collaboration between healthcare professionals across healthcare settings.CONCLUSIONS: Patients' experiences with pharmacotherapeutic care during hospital admission and following discharge were partly influenced by a high level of trust in the healthcare system. However, shortcomings were noted in adapting care to individual informational needs, patient contexts, and involvement in decision-making about medication changes.PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: To optimize patients' experiences in pharmacotherapeutic transitional care, it is essential to balance patient autonomy with professional guidance in the development of new patient-centered medication optimization interventions. Healthcare professionals should ask and document patient preferences in communication and support regarding medication decisions. Clear communication about the role of each healthcare professional may enhance patient awareness of potential medication errors, as some patients now put their trust in the organization of healthcare.

KW - Inappropriate prescribing

KW - Medication review

KW - Older patients

KW - Patient preferences

KW - Polypharmacy

KW - Shared decision making

KW - Transitional care

U2 - 10.1016/j.pec.2025.108754

DO - 10.1016/j.pec.2025.108754

M3 - Article

C2 - 40147196

SN - 0738-3991

VL - 136

JO - Patient Education and Counseling

JF - Patient Education and Counseling

M1 - 108754

ER -

Older patients' experiences and needs regarding pharmacotherapeutic care in-hospital and after discharge

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

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Cite this