START DATE AND DURATION: April 2020People who live with a number of medical conditions (multiple long-term conditions or MLTCs) are at high risk of poor health. They are often prescribed multiple medicines. When the number of medicines is greater than five, this is called polypharmacy.
Polypharmacy (the use of multiple medicines by one patient) is on the rise and is a global safety issue. Larger numbers of medications in older age contribute to escalating risk. We studied the experiences of polypharmacy across patients’ homes, general practices and community pharmacy with a focus on people age 65+ prescribed 10+ medications. We followed 24 patients for up to 2 years, conducting observations in 3 GP practices and 4 community pharmacies. We used a wide range of approaches to understand why medicines practices are often hidden from view. We have produced a suite of freely available e-learning materials through the RCGP, which encourage professionals to think differently about polypharmacy. We have also worked with patients using a co-design process to create a series of seven fictional storybooks (and an accompanying website with audiobooks) to change the nature of discussion between clinicians and patients about their care and give patients greater control and understanding over their medications.
The long-term goal of this research project is to better understand the dynamic relationship between multiple long-term conditions and polypharmacy, to optimise the medicines prescribed for individual patients. This research will also identify key points for intervention, to maintain the best possible health trajectory for people with MLTCs.
