JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Medication management information technologies (IT), such as shared electronic medication plans and electronic patient records, are increasingly rolled out across Switzerland. They can support primary care physicians and older adults to optimize medication use and reduce medication-related harm. Understanding users’ expectations is essential for implementation of medication management IT in primary care settings.

Objective:

Explore primary care physicians’ and older adults’ experiences and attitudes regarding medication management IT and identify barriers and facilitators to their use.

Methods:

We employed a convergent mixed methods design using online questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with primary care physicians and older adults in Swiss primary care settings from January to August 2024. Participants included older adults aged ≥60 years who were using ≥2 prescribed medications daily, as well as primary care physicians practicing in Switzerland. Quantitative questionnaire data was analyzed using descriptive statistics to describe current use and attitudes regarding medication management IT. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results:

252 older adults (50% female; mean age 73 years (SD=7)) and 46 primary care physicians (33% female; mean age 54 years (SD=11)) completed the questionnaire. Seven older adults (3%) and 21 physicians (46%) reported using shared electronic medication plans. Most older adults reported not using electronic patient records (240; 95%) but expressed willingness to adopt them to manage (164; 69%) or share (179; 75%) their health information in the future. Most physicians were open to using digital tools for medication optimization (35; 76%) or a platform to coordinate medication optimization with patients and healthcare providers (29; 63%). Interviews were conducted with 19 older adults (63% female; mean age 77 years (SD=9)) and 16 physicians (31% female). The qualitative data helped explain the quantitative findings. Older adults rarely used medication management IT, while physicians mainly used basic tools integrated into their practice information system (e.g., interaction checkers). Barriers and facilitators for both groups included information about these novel technologies, accessibility, perceived need and benefit, user-friendliness, data protection, and required time and effort.

Conclusions:

Although older adults and primary care physicians perceived advantages of medication management IT, current use remains limited. More information and improved access and user-friendliness could promote wide-spread adoption. Clinical Trial: N/A