The influence of patients’ beliefs about medicines and the relationship with suboptimal medicine use in community-dwelling older adults: a systematic review of quantitative studies

• Published in: International journal of clinical pharmacy Vol. 46; no. 4; pp. 811 - 830
• Main Authors: Rafhi, Eman, Al-Juhaishi, Malath, Stupans, Ieva, Stevens, Julie E., Park, Joon Soo, Wang, Kate N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.08.2024; Springer
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Drugs; Health aspects; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Inappropriate Prescribing - prevention & control; Independent Living; Internal Medicine; Medication Adherence - psychology; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Patient compliance; Pharmacy; Polypharmacy; Potentially Inappropriate Medication List; Review; Review Article; Medication adherence; Patient beliefs; Polypharmacy; Attitude; Potentially inappropriate medication; Aged; Older adults
• ISSN: 2210-7703; 2210-7711; 2210-7711
• DOI: 10.1007/s11096-024-01727-9

Background Medication use in older adults is increasing, therefore, reducing the risk of suboptimal medicine use is imperative in achieving optimal therapeutic outcomes. Research suggests that factors such as personal beliefs and beliefs about medicines may be associated with non-adherence and inappropriate medicine use. Aim To systematically review and identify quantitative research on the influence of beliefs about medicines and the relationship with suboptimal medicine use in older adults. Method Searches were conducted on PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO for quantitative studies (inception to March 2023). Inclusion criteria: (1) exposure: participants’ beliefs (personal, cultural, and medication-related), (2) outcomes: polypharmacy, potentially inappropriate medicines use, or non-adherence, and (3) participants: community-dwelling adults 65 years or above. Study selection, data extraction and quality appraisal (Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist) were completed independently by two investigators. Data were combined in a narrative synthesis and presented in a summary of findings table. Results Nineteen articles were included: 15 cross-sectional and four cohort studies. Outcomes of included papers were as follows; adherence ( n  = 18) and potentially inappropriate medicine use ( n  = 1). Ten studies found stronger beliefs in the necessity of medicines and/or fewer concerns led to better adherence, with one paper contradicting these findings. Three studies did not find associations between adherence and beliefs. One study confirmed an association between unnecessary drug use and a lack of belief in a "powerful other" (e.g. doctor). Conclusion Further investigation is necessary to (1) ascertain the importance of necessity or concern beliefs in fostering adherence and, (2) examine the influence of beliefs on polypharmacy and inappropriate medicine use.