Challenges of information sharing regarding medication support for older adults at home: a qualitative study

In the current aging population, medication support for older adults is increasingly vital for home healthcare. Tangible challenges in information sharing for medication support in home healthcare remain unclear, although interprofessional collaboration is vital to providing medication support in home healthcare. Therefore, this qualitative study aimed to clarify the issues in information sharing regarding home medication support. The data for the study were generated using focus group interviews. The focus groups included physicians, pharmacists, visiting nurses, home helpers, and care managers who had experience in medication support in in-home medical care. The data were qualitatively analyzed with the steps for coding and theorization (SCAT) method. Seven constructs, 19 categories, and 50 codes were extracted from three focus groups with 15 medical and caregiving professionals. Extracted constructs were then theorized using Donabedian’s framework. The emerging problems for medication information sharing in home healthcare include: (1) Structural problems underlying the inconvenience of laws and systems for information sharing; (2) Operational problems related to limitations and difficulties in playing professional roles; and (3) Information not shared as a result. These three components have sequential relationships. Challenges in information sharing for medication support in home healthcare include structural problems such as the inconvenience of laws restricting clinical practices and practitioners’ attitudes, which in turn cause operational problems.