The SIPA2 Study: Exploring the Pharmaceutical Care Needs of Older People with Sensory Impairment (Opwsi)

Margaret Watson, Marilyn Lennon, Leah Macaden, Annetta Smith, Sabrina Jacob, Tom Welsh, Peter Fuzesi, Emma Nicol, Kirsten Broadfoot, Lesley Cooper, Suresh Kamalakannan

Research output: Contribution to journalMeeting Abstractpeer-review

Abstract

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.

Objective: 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.

Conclusions: 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.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)217
Number of pages1
JournalResearch in Social and Administrative Pharmacy
Volume20
Issue number2
Early online date11 Jan 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2024
EventNordic Social Pharmacy Conference 2023 - UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
Duration: 7 Jun 20239 Jun 2023
https://uit.no/tavla/artikkel/778767/nordic_social_pharmacy_conference_2023_tromso_no

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