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Medicine optimisation in older adults in primary care: multidisciplinary approach

Year:
2017
Duration:
60 months
Approved budget:
$240,000.00
Researchers:
Dr Joanna Hikaka
Health issue:
Ageing
Proposal type:
Clinical Research Training Fellowship
Lay summary
A clinical pharmacist specialising in medicine optimisation in older adults, I wish to pursue a research career investigating novel models of clinical pharmacy services in community settings addressing health outcome disparities in New Zealand. Multidisciplinary team (MDT) medicines optimisation in community dwelling older adult populations will be investigated in this proposed research. A randomised controlled trial of 600 retirement village residents using a MDT medicines optimisation intervention will be conducted. Medicine appropriateness and emergency department presentations will be compared. The second part will be a feasibility study looking at designing and implementing a MDT medicines optimisation intervention in Maori elders living in the community. There will be a focus on engagement, self-determined needs and appropriate delivery of patient and whanau centered care. Older adults are prescribed more medicines, experience more adverse drug effects and resulting hospitalisations. Research is lacking on whether MDT medicines optimisation intervention improve medicine appropriateness and/or outcomes in the study populations.