SCIE research briefing 15: Helping older people to take prescribed medication in their own home: what works?
Reference list
Click here for a full alphabetical list of the references.
(1) Pawson R., Boaz A., Grayson L., Long A., Barnes C. (2003). Types and Quality of Knowledge in Social Care. Knowledge Review 3. Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE). This document analyses and defines the different types of knowledge and information which may inform social care research and practice.
(2) Banning M. (2004). Enhancing older people's concordance with taking their medication. British Journal of Nursing, 13 (11), 669-674.
This article reviews why older people may fail to take their medication and what can help them in doing so. Abstract available
(3) Dodds F., Rebair-Brown A., Parsons S. (2000). A systematic review of randomized controlled trials that attempt to identify interventions that improve patient compliance with prescribed antipsychotic medication. Clinical Effectiveness in Nursing, 2000 (2), 47-53.
This systematic review summarises the findings of randomised controlled trials that have investigated the efficacy of interventions to improve compliance with prescribed antipsychotic medication. Abstract available
(4) Weiss M., Britten N. (2003). What is concordance? The Pharmaceutical Journal, 271, 493.
This article describes and defines the concept of concordance.
(5) Department of Health (2001). Medicines and Older People. Implementing medicines-related aspects of the NSF for Older People. Department of Health.
This document sets new national standards and service models for prescribing medication for older people, including concordance discussions as part of the regular review of a patient's medications.
(6) Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, Merck S&D. (1997). From Compliance to Concordance: Achieving Shared Goals in Medicine Taking. London, RPSGB.
This is the key report on developing concordance in medication taking in the UK.
(7) Lowe C.J., Raynor D.K., Purvis J., Farrin A., Hudson J. (2000). Effects of a medicine review and education programme for older people in general practice. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 50 (2), 172-175.
This study aims to determine whether a medicine review and education programme influences the compliance and knowledge of older people in general practice. Abstract available
(8) Cline C.M., Bjorck-Linne A.K., Israelsson B.Y., Willenheimer R.B., Erhardt L.R. (1999). Non-compliance and knowledge of prescribed medication in elderly patients with heart failure. European Journal of Heart Failure, 1 (2), 145-149.
This Swedish study aims to determine the extent of non-compliance to prescribed medication in elderly patients with heart failure and to determine to what extent patients recall information given regarding their medication. Abstract available
(9) Pearson B., Skelly R., Wileman D., Masud T. (2002). Unplanned readmission to hospital: a comparison of the views of general practitioners and hospital staff. Age and Ageing, 31 (2), 141-143.
This article compares the views of general practitioners and hospital staff on the reasons for unplanned readmission of older people. Abstract available.
(10) Piramohamed M., James S., Meakin S., Green C., Scott A.K., Walley T.J. et al. (2004). Adverse drug reactions as cause of admission to hospital: prospective analysis of 18 820 patients. British Medical Journal, 329 (7456), 15-19.
This study reports on the number of hospital admissions in the UK due to adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Full text available.
(11) Department of Health (2001). National Service Framework for Older People. Department of Health.
The NSF for older people was published on 27 March 2001. It sets new national standards and service models of care across health and social services for all older people, whether they live at home, in residential care or are being looked after in hospital.
(12) NHS Executive (1999). Patient and Public Involvement in the New NHS. The Methadone Alliance.
This document sets out the action which the NHS Executive is taking to make patient partnership central to its work, and what the Government expects the NHS and other bodies to do to make this partnership a reality.
(13) Huby G., Stewart J., Tierney A., Rogers W. (2004). Planning older people's discharge from acute hospital care: linking risk management and patient participation in decision-making. Health Risk and Society, 6 (2), 115-132.
This paper reports findings from a pilot qualitative study which aimed to develop a methodology to explore older patients' participation in discharge decision-making.
(14) Beresford P., Carter T. (2000). Age and Change. Models of Involvement for Older People. Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
This report offers practical guidance and ideas to increase the involvement of older people.
(15) Crawford M., Rutter D., Manley C., Weaver T., Bhui K., Fulop N. et al. (2002). Systematic review of involving patients in the planning and development of health care. British Medical Journal, 325 (7375), 1263-1267.
This is a systematic review examining the effects of involving patients in the planning and development of health care. Full text available.
(16) Shah P.N., Maly R.C., Frank J.C., Hirsch S.H., Reuben D.B. (1997). Managing geriatric syndromes: what geriatric assessment teams recommend, what primary care physicians implement, what patients adhere to. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 45 (4), 413-419.
This US study evaluates the responses of primary care physicians and patients to recommendations from a community-based comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) program for the management of four target conditions: falls, depression, urinary incontinence, and functional impairment. Abstract available.
(17) Milnes A., Lingard J. (2001). Medicines and good mental health in later life. Research and Policy Briefings from the Mental Health Foundation.
This document reports on the findings of a community-based UK wide survey carried out to explore how far pharmaceutical advice and support is extended to older people with dementia and/ or depression.
(18) Barnett N., Francis S.A., Jenner C., Lubel D., Denham M. (2003). Back to the future. Health Service Journal, 113 (5844), 32.
This article describes how a project by Harrow and Hillingdon Healthcare trust aimed to address problems with older patients not taking medicine as prescribed by examining their medication histories.
(19) Mullen P.D. (1997). Compliance becomes concordance. British Medical Journal, 314 (7082), 691-692.
This is an editorial describing the move to concordance as a means of achieving compliance. Full text available.
(20) van Eijken, Tsang S., Wensing M., de Smet P.A.G.M., Grol R.P.T.M. (2003). Interventions to improve medication compliance in older patients living in the community. A systematic review of the literature. Drugs and Aging, 20 (3), 229-240.
This is a Dutch systematic review of interventions to help community-dwelling older people be compliant with their medication. Abstract available
(21) Bonner C.J., Carr B. (2002). Medication compliance problems in general practice: detection and intervention by pharmacists and doctors. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 10 (1), 33-38.
This Australian study evaluates the effectiveness of a medical summary card as a compliance aid. Abstract available
(22) Maidment R., Livingston G., Katona C. (2002). "Just keep taking the tablets": Adherence to antidepressant treatment in older people in primary care. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 17 (8), 752-757.
This paper reports on the prevalence and factors affecting compliance with antidepressants among people 65 years of age or older in a primary care setting. Abstract available.
(23) Westbury J. (2003). Why do older people not always take their medicines? The Pharmaceutical Journal.
This article examines whether older people are ready for concordance.
(24) Barat I., Andreasen F., Damsgaard E.M.S. (2001). Drug therapy in the elderly: what doctors believe and patients actually do. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 51, 615-622.
This Danish study examines medical adherence among older people living in their own homes. No abstract available.
(25) Cohen I., Rogers P., Burke V., Beilin L.J. (1998). Predictors of medication use, compliance and symptoms of hypotension in a community-based sample of elderly men and women. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 23 (6), 423-432.
This Australian study investigates the use of prescription and non-prescription drugs among men and women with hypotension. Abstract available.
(26) Allen H. (1998). Adult/elderly care nursing. Promoting compliance with antihypertensive medication. British Journal of Nursing, 7 (20), 1252-1258.
This article examines ways to address the problem of non-compliance in patients with hypertension. Abstract available.
(27) Bytheway B. (2001). Responsibility and routines: How older people manage their long-term medication. Journal of Occupational Science, 8 (3), 5-13.
This study examines the daily medication routines of a representative UK sample of 77 older people aged 75 and over who live in their own homes.
(28) Johnson M.J., Williams M., Marshall E.S. (1999). Adherent and nonadherent medication-taking in elderly hypertensive patients. Clinical Nursing Research, 8 (4), 318-335.
This US study examines factors that influence elderly hypertensive patients' adherence or non-adherence to prescribed medications. Abstract available
(29) Salas M., In't-Veld B.A., Van der Linden P.D., Hofman A., Breteler M., Stricker B.H. (2001). Impaired cognitive function and compliance with antihypertensive drugs in elderly: The Rotterdam Study. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 70 (6), 561-566.
This is a study from the Netherlands of compliance with antihypertensive treatment among elderly patients with cognitive impairment. Abstract available
(30) Ryan A.A., Chambers M. (2000). Medication management and older patients: an individualized and systematic approach. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 9 (5), 732-741.
This study evaluates the effectiveness of an individualized education programme on older patients' knowledge of prescribed medication.
(31) Blenkiron P. (1996). The elderly and their medication: understanding and compliance in a family practice. Postgraduate Medical Journal, 72 (853), 671-676.
This study interviews 80 patients aged 75 years to assess their level of knowledge, degree of compliance, and problems with their medicines. Abstract available
(32) Najak I. (1996). Prescribing issues. Drug compliance in the elderly. Community Nurse, 1996 (9), 47-49.
This article offers a brief discussion of the factors which influence compliance among the elderly and the measures that can be taken to help.
(33) Tallis R.C. (2002). Epilepsy. Reviews in Clinical Gerontology, 12 (4), 295-316.
This article discusses steps to improve adherence to medication for epilepsy. Full text available
(34) Chen J. (1999). Medication concordance is best helped by improving consultation skills. British Medical Journal, 318 (7184), 670.
This is a letter concerning how concordance can be best achieved. Full text available
(35) Horne R., Weinman J. (1999). Patients' beliefs about prescribed medicines and their role in adherence to treatment in chronic physical illness. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 47 (6), 555-567.
This study examines patients' beliefs about the necessity of their medications and their concerns about taking them. Abstract available
(36) Grime J., Pollock K. (2003). Patients' ambivalence about taking antidepressants: a qualitative study.
This study aims to understand patients' views and experiences of taking antidepressants.
(37) Bissell P. (2003). Compliance, concordance and respect for the patient's agenda. The Pharmaceutical Journal.
This article discusses compliance and concordance as models for framing relationships between patients and health care professionals.
(38) Day J. (2003). How reflections on concordance in mental health can affect research and clinical practice in adherence. The Pharmaceutical Journal.
This article draws on examples of concordance in mental health to illustrate some of the problems associated with carrying out research in the area of compliance.
(39) Department of Health (2001). National Service Framework for Older People. Good practice examples and case studies: standard two (person-centred care). Department of Health.
This is a list of practice examples from the Department of Health aimed at ensuring that older people are treated as individuals.
(40) Herve C., Mullet E., Sorum P.C. (2004). Age and medication acceptance. Experimental Aging Research, 30 (3), 253-273.
This French study examines the factors which influence compliance with medication. Abstract available
(41) Fulmer T.T., Feldman P.H., Kim T.S., Carty B., Beers M., Molina M. et al. (1999). An intervention study to enhance medication compliance in community-dwelling elderly individuals. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 25 (8), 6-14.
This US study aims to determine whether daily videotelephone or regular telephone reminders increase the proportion of prescribed cardiac medications taken in a sample of elderly individuals who have congestive heart failure (CHF). Abstract available
(42) McGraw C., Drennan V. (2001). Self administration of medicine and older people. Nursing Standard, 15 (17 January), 33-36.
This article discusses ways in which to help older people comply with their medication regimen.
(43) Bending A. (2002). Just how do you make sure the medicine goes down? Nursing in Practice, 426-428.
This article discusses the reasons why elderly patients may be non-compliant and what can be done to help.
(44) Nunney J.M., Raynor D.K.T. (2001). How are multi-compartment compliance aids used in primary care. The Pharmaceutical Journal, 267784-789.
This study assesses the role of compliance aids and community pharmacists in supporting older people taking medication in their homes. Full text available
(45) Raynor D.K., Nicolson M., Nunney J., Petty D., Vail A., Davies L. (2000). The development and evaluation of an extended adherence support programme by community pharmacists for elderly patients at home. International Journal of Pharmacy Practice, 8 (3), 157-164.
This study evaluates a medication adherence support service provided by community pharmacists for older people living at home Abstract available
(46) Muir A., Sanders L.L., Williams M.S., Wilkinson E., Schamader K. (2001). Reducing medication regimen complexity: a controlled trial. Journal of General and Internal Medicine, 16 (2), 77-82.
This study evaluates the effectiveness of a intervention for doctors designed to help them reduce the complexity of drug regimens. Abstract available
(47) Unson C.G., Siccion E., Gaztambide J., Gaztambide S., Trella Mahoney P., Prestwood K. (2003). Nonadherence and Osteoporosis Treatment Preferences of Older Women: A Qualitative Study. Journal of Women's Health, 12 (10), 1037-1045.
This US study examines how beliefs about medication can influence compliance among a sample of older women with osteoporosis. Abstract available
(48) Ryan A.A. (1998). A systematic approach to self-medication in older people. British Journal of Nursing, 7 (9), 528-535.
This study evaluates the effectiveness of an individualized education programme on older patients' knowledge of prescribed medication. Abstract available
(49) Cox K., Stevenson F., Britten N., Dunbar Y. (2004). A systematic review of two-way communication between patients and health professionals about medicines. GKT Concordance Unit, Guy's King's and St Thomas ' School of Medicine.
This is a systematic review to identify and summarise research on two-way communication between patients and health care professionals about medicines. the aim of the study is to inform the model of concordance.
(50) Martens K.H. (1998). An ethnographic study of the process of medication discharge education (MDE). Journal of Advanced Nursing, 27 (2), 341-384.
This study collects a range of data from older people, family members, nurses and medical records in order to describe the process of MDE. Abstract available
(51) Watson C. (2003). How concordance and patient empowerment challenge pharmacy. The Pharmaceutical Journal.
This article argues that changes in professional practice are essential if treatments and services are to be patient-centred.
(52) Britten N., Stevenson F., Barry C.A., Barber N., Bradley C.P. (2000). Misunderstandings in prescribing decisions in general practice: qualitative study. British Medical Journal, 320 (7233), 484-488.
This study identifies and describes some of the misunderstandings between doctors and patients and how this affects issues such as compliance. Full text available
(53) Jenkins L., Britten N., Stevenson F., Barber N., Bradley C.P. (2003). Developing and using quantitative instruments for measuring doctor-patient communication about drugs. Patient Education and Counseling, 50 (3), 273-278.
This study examines instruments for monitoring communication between GPs and patients about medication. Abstract available
(54) Barry C.A., Bradley C.P., Britten N., Stevenson F., Barber N. (2000). Patients' unvoiced agendas in general practice consultations: qualitative study. British Medical Journal, 320 (7244), 1246-1250.
This is a study of what is left unsaid between GPs and their patients and the adverse effects of such lack of communication. Full text available
