Abstract
Introduction: Older people with sensory impairment (OPwSI) (hearing and/or vision loss) experience substantial challenges in managing medication. Primary care health professionals undertake the majority of prescribing for OPwSI. The extent to which prescribers are trained to accommodate the medicine-related needs of OPwSI has not previously been explored.
Aims/Objectives: To explore primary care professionals’ resource-use, training and prescribing for OPwSI. The objectives were to:
1. Identify evidence-based resources to inform prescribing for OPwSI.
2. Explore current prescribing practice and training needs of primary care prescribers.
Methods: Two empirical studies were undertaken. A scoping review was conducted using
Joanna Briggs Institute [JBI] methodology. Electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL) and grey literature were searched from January 2012 to April 2023. Duplicate, independent screening, selection, and data extraction were undertaken. An interview study was conducted with primary care prescribers, utilising online, semi-structured interviews. Transcripts were uploaded into NVivo, accuracy checked, with over 10% double coded, and analysed using the Framework Method.
Results: No studies met the inclusion criteria for the scoping review. Fifteen prescribers were interviewed, (pharmacists (n=5), general medical practitioners (GPs) (n=6), nurses (n=3), and one optometrist). Interviewees reported minimal if any training regarding prescribing for OPwSI.
“There’s no formal training.” (P14, Nurse)
Prescribers relied upon experiential learning to prescribe for their patient.
“You sort of build on your own experience. You've just done what's worked, and then when it doesn't work, you think I'm not going to do that again.” (P5, Pharmacist)
No evidence-based resources were identified or used.
“I'm not sure we have a guideline [or] checklist, or I can't remember seeing one. I can't think of anything along those lines.” (P7, GP)
Discussion/Conclusion: Prescribers need evidence-based resources and training to support medicine optimisation for OPwSI.
Aims/Objectives: To explore primary care professionals’ resource-use, training and prescribing for OPwSI. The objectives were to:
1. Identify evidence-based resources to inform prescribing for OPwSI.
2. Explore current prescribing practice and training needs of primary care prescribers.
Methods: Two empirical studies were undertaken. A scoping review was conducted using
Joanna Briggs Institute [JBI] methodology. Electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL) and grey literature were searched from January 2012 to April 2023. Duplicate, independent screening, selection, and data extraction were undertaken. An interview study was conducted with primary care prescribers, utilising online, semi-structured interviews. Transcripts were uploaded into NVivo, accuracy checked, with over 10% double coded, and analysed using the Framework Method.
Results: No studies met the inclusion criteria for the scoping review. Fifteen prescribers were interviewed, (pharmacists (n=5), general medical practitioners (GPs) (n=6), nurses (n=3), and one optometrist). Interviewees reported minimal if any training regarding prescribing for OPwSI.
“There’s no formal training.” (P14, Nurse)
Prescribers relied upon experiential learning to prescribe for their patient.
“You sort of build on your own experience. You've just done what's worked, and then when it doesn't work, you think I'm not going to do that again.” (P5, Pharmacist)
No evidence-based resources were identified or used.
“I'm not sure we have a guideline [or] checklist, or I can't remember seeing one. I can't think of anything along those lines.” (P7, GP)
Discussion/Conclusion: Prescribers need evidence-based resources and training to support medicine optimisation for OPwSI.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | e45-e46 |
| Number of pages | 2 |
| Journal | Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy |
| Volume | 21 |
| Issue number | 11 |
| Early online date | 1 Sept 2025 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Nov 2025 |
| Event | 14th Working Conference of the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe (PCNE): Strengthening pharmaceutical care research and practice - Innsbruck, Austria Duration: 5 Feb 2025 → 8 Feb 2025 |
Keywords
- sensory impairment
- older adults
- prescribing