The SIPA2 STUDY: exploring the pharmaceutical care needs of older people with sensory impairment (OPwSI)

Background: Older people (aged > 65 years) are at higher risk of multimorbidity, polypharmacy and sensory (visual and/or hearing) impairment. OPwSI are at higher risk of iatrogenic harm compared with older people with no sensory impairment. There has been minimal exploration of their medicine needs.

Objectives: SIPA2 is a 2-year research programme conducted in Scotland, which aims to develop evidence-based solutions to the challenges experienced by OPwSI in relation to their medicines.

Methods: The study comprised:

1. Evidence synthesis (including an observational study)
2. Co-production of service and product specifications using Deliberative Dialogue and a Delphi
process
3. Development of an evidence-based Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) for health and social
care professionals (HSCPs) of the medicine-related needs of OPwSI
Results: The evidence synthesis informed an Evidence Brief. The in-depth observational study was conducted remotely with 14 OPwSI each undertaking their own data collection using video- and audio- recordings, diaries, as well as researcher-led interviews, and demonstrated the complexity of medicine access and use, and highlighted the burden experienced by OPwSI when curating their medicine management to reflect their personal circumstances. The Deliberative Dialogue identified multiple items to be considered in service and product specifications, which were included in the Delphi process. The MOOC launched in February 2023.

Discussion: OPwSI experience multiple medicine-related challenges to which they have developed many individualised solutions. This study identified the importance of advocacy for OPwSI in relation to their medicines’ journey, capacity building among HSCPs to meet their needs, and policy to promote greater awareness.