NEW research published in the Journal of Gerontology has described new ways to characterise older people who take multiple medicines, and who are open to 'deprescribing' to reduce or stop less effective medicines.
Lead researcher, Kristie Weir from the University of Sydney's School of Public Health, said polypharmacy in the older population is increasing and can be harmful.
She said the study categorised three distinct types of people which could help guide the type of advice given by clinicians to older patients when discussing the issues around taking multiple medicines.
Type one patients are resistant to deprescribing and are very attached to their medications; type two people were open to deprescribing and preferred an active role in decision making; and type three patients deferred decisions to their doctor or carer.
She said doctors should tailor communication to individual older people taking multiple medications to provide the best level of care.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 27 Nov 17
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 27 Nov 17
