JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Previous research and safety advocacy groups have proposed various behaviors for older adults to take an active role in medication safety. However, little is known about how older adults perceive the importance and reasonableness of these behaviors in ambulatory settings.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to assess how older adults perceive the importance and reasonableness of eight medication safety behaviors in ambulatory settings, and to compare their responses with those of younger adults.

Methods:

We conducted a survey study of adults in the United States using crowdsourcing behaviors that patients may take to improve medication safety in community settings. Eight safety behaviors were identified based on literature: bringing medications to office visits, confirming medications at home, managing medication refills, using patient portals, organizing medications, checking medications, getting help, and knowing medications. Respondents were asked about their perception of the importance and reasonableness of these behaviors on 5-point Likert rating scales in the context of collaboration with primary care providers. We assessed the relative ranking of behaviors in terms of importance and reasonableness and examined the association between these dimensions across age groups using statistical tests.

Results:

Of 1,222 adult participants, 125 (10.2%) were aged 65 or older. Most were White, college-educated, and had chronic conditions. Older adult participants rated significantly higher in terms of both importance and reasonableness for all eight behaviors compared to younger adults. Confirming medications ranked highest in importance for both age groups, while knowing medications ranked highest in reasonableness. Using patient portals ranked lowest in importance and reasonableness. The perceived importance of identified medication safety behaviors showed a significant correlation with their perceived reasonableness.

Conclusions:

Older adults perceived the identified safety behaviors as more important and reasonable than younger adults. However, both age groups considered a behavior highly recommended by professionals as least important and reasonable. Patient engagement strategies common and specific to age groups should be considered to improve medication safety in ambulatory settings.