JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

With the aging population on the rise, the demand for effective healthcare solutions to address adverse drug errors becomes increasingly urgent. Telemedicine emerged as a promising solution for strengthening healthcare delivery in home care settings and mitigating drug errors. Recognizing the indispensable role of family caregivers in day-to-day patient care, the integration of digital health tools has the potential to streamline medication management processes and enhance the overall quality of patient care.

Objective:

This study aimed to explore healthcare professionals' perspectives on the use of the Medication and Care Support System (MCSS) and to collect recommendations for designing a similar tool for family caregivers.

Methods:

A total number of fifteen interviews with healthcare professionals in a home care center were performed. Thematic analysis was used and five key themes highlighting the importance of using the MCSS tool to improve medication management in home care were identified.

Results:

All participants emphasized the necessity of direct communication between healthcare professionals and family caregivers and required comprehensive information about medication administration, patient conditions, and symptoms for family caregivers. Furthermore, the healthcare professionals recommended features and functions customized for family caregivers.

Conclusions:

The study underscored the importance of clear communication between healthcare professionals and family caregivers and the provision of comprehensive instructions to promote safe medication practices. By equipping family caregivers with essential information via a tool similar to MCSS, a proactive approach to preventing errors and improving outcomes is advocated.