Abstract
Introduction
Effective communication about medication changes during hospitalisation is critical for patient understanding, satisfaction, and adherence. This service evaluation examined how older patients and their carers perceive healthcare professionals’ communication around medication changes during inpatient care.
Methods
A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 10 participants (6 older inpatients, 4 carers) across four geriatric wards. Thematic analysis was applied. Sampling was guided by information power, with data saturation achieved after 10 interviews. Participants had a mean age of 77.5 years, eight patients were British, one Pakistani, and one Black African.
Results
Patients and carers described communication about medication changes as limited and inadequate, often leaving them feeling confused, anxious, and uncertain about decisions being made. There was a clear expectation for timely explanations delivered in straightforward language, with a strong emphasis on understanding the reasons behind each change. When communication was effective, it helped build trust, fostered a better medication understanding, and encouraged adherence. In contrast, poor communication undermined confidence and led to disengagement. Patients also expressed a strong wish to be involved in decisions, yet many felt marginalised or left out of important conversations. They placed high value on transparency and being offered treatment options. Carers emerged as key contributors to the process, often taking the initiative to seek clarification and advocate for the patient’s needs. Their involvement was viewed as crucial to delivering safe, informed, and person-centred care.
Conclusion
Prioritising clear, timely communication, including explicit rationale for medication changes, along with shared decision-making and active carer involvement, can strengthen trust, support adherence, and improve continuity of care. These findings highlight the need to embed patient-centred communication into staff training and routine clinical practice.
Comments
Interesting topic !
Thank You for presenting your work. There is a lot to take home from here as I have found that sometimes we don't inform patients of their regular medication changes except the ones that are more significant. For example, I found that post hip fracture elderly patients who have postural blood pressure drops or remain normotensive during stay don't have their anti-hypertensives restarted due to risk of hypotension but we don't usually communicate this to them quite frequently as we should. We usually inform them of new ones like anti-coagulations or anti-resorptive therapy. I would also like to say that most of post surgical patients have some element of delirium which persists for a while and thus decision to rationalize medications is often not conveyed fully even to the carer/next of kin. This is something I believe we can work on and not leave to the pharmacist on ward to deal with who are already burdened with other duties.
Great work and really interesting insights from participants
Great work and really interesting insights from participants. I'd be interested to know whether you think the insights would remain the same or change when considering medication review/changes when they are transferred back in the community setting.
Really interesting poster -…
Really interesting poster - how will the interventions be adopted in very busy healthcare environments and what measures can be used to assess impact?