Nienke Dijkstra, Research Group Proactive care for elderly people living at home, University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, The Netherlands
Carolien Sino, Education Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
Lisette Schoonhoven, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Sanne Verdoorn, SIR Institute for Pharmacy Practice and Policy, Leiden, The Netherlands
Marcel L Bouvy, Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
Eibert R. Heerdink, Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
ABSTRACT
Background:
Regular clinical medication reviews (CMRs) are recommended for monitoring and addressing potential drug-related problems, especially in elderly people. Interprofessional collaborative practice (ICP) by general practitioners, community pharmacists, and nurses in a CMR is recommended and expected to produce more efficient CMRs. Involving home care nurses in ICP is not yet well implemented, and their perspectives are unclear.
Purpose:
This study explores how home care nurses perceive their role in ICP in CMRs and the requirements to assume that role.
Methods:
Structured interviews were performed, using case-vignettes; data were analysed with a thematic analysis approach.
Results:
Twelve home care nurses were interviewed. Three themes regarding the nurses’ role were identified:
(1) observing, recognizing, and communicating information for a CMR to prescribers and community pharmacists;
(2) helping to provide patient information and education about implemented changes in the pharmaceutical care plan; and
(3) the nurses’ level of involvement in ICP.
Three themes regarding requirements were identified:
(1) nursing competences,
(2) periodic interprofessional consultation and ad hoc interprofessional communication, and
(3) guidelines describing the role of nurses.
Conclusions:
Home care nurses could provide additional support in a CMR. Nursing competences, periodic interprofessional consultation and ad hoc interprofessional communication, and guidelines describing the role of home care nurses are required.