Informational continuity of medication management in transitions of care: Qualitative interviews with stakeholders from the HYPERION-TransCare study.

<h4>Background</h4>The transition of patients between inpatient and outpatient care can lead to adverse events and medication-related problems due to medication and communication errors, such as medication discontinuation, the frequency of (re-)hospitalizations, and increased morbidity a...

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Main Authors: Truc Sophia Dinh, Maria Hanf, Astrid-Alexandra Klein, Maria-Sophie Brueckle, Lisa Rietschel, Jenny Petermann, Franziska Brosse, Sylvia Schulz-Rothe, Sophia Klasing, Christiane Muth, Hanna Seidling, Jennifer Engler, Karola Mergenthal, Karen Voigt, Marjan van den Akker
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2024-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0300047&type=printable
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author Truc Sophia Dinh
Maria Hanf
Astrid-Alexandra Klein
Maria-Sophie Brueckle
Lisa Rietschel
Jenny Petermann
Franziska Brosse
Sylvia Schulz-Rothe
Sophia Klasing
Christiane Muth
Hanna Seidling
Jennifer Engler
Karola Mergenthal
Karen Voigt
Marjan van den Akker
author_facet Truc Sophia Dinh
Maria Hanf
Astrid-Alexandra Klein
Maria-Sophie Brueckle
Lisa Rietschel
Jenny Petermann
Franziska Brosse
Sylvia Schulz-Rothe
Sophia Klasing
Christiane Muth
Hanna Seidling
Jennifer Engler
Karola Mergenthal
Karen Voigt
Marjan van den Akker
author_sort Truc Sophia Dinh
collection DOAJ
description <h4>Background</h4>The transition of patients between inpatient and outpatient care can lead to adverse events and medication-related problems due to medication and communication errors, such as medication discontinuation, the frequency of (re-)hospitalizations, and increased morbidity and mortality. Older patients with multimorbidity and polypharmacy are particularly at high risk during transitions of care. Previous research highlighted the need for interventions to improve transitions of care in order to support information continuity, coordination, and communication. The HYPERION-TransCare project aims to improve the continuity of medication management for older patients during transitions of care.<h4>Methods and findings</h4>Using a qualitative design, 32 expert interviews were conducted to explore the perspectives of key stakeholders, which included healthcare professionals, patients and one informal caregiver, on transitions of care. Interviews were conducted between October 2020 and January 2021, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using content analysis. We narratively summarized four main topics (stakeholders' tasks, challenges, ideas for solutions and best practice examples, and patient-related factors) and mapped them in a patient journey map. Lacking or incomplete information on patients' medication and health conditions, inappropriate communication and collaboration between healthcare providers within and across settings, and insufficient digital support limit the continuity of medication management.<h4>Conclusions</h4>The study confirms that medication management during transitions of care is a complex process that can be compromised by a variety of factors. Legal requirements and standardized processes are urgently needed to ensure adequate exchange of information and organization of medication management before, during and after hospital admissions. Despite the numerous barriers identified, the findings indicate that involved healthcare professionals from both the inpatient and outpatient care settings have a common understanding.
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spelling doaj.art-9655bf02ea26434db0fa9550786ab9052024-04-11T05:32:10ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032024-01-01194e030004710.1371/journal.pone.0300047Informational continuity of medication management in transitions of care: Qualitative interviews with stakeholders from the HYPERION-TransCare study.Truc Sophia DinhMaria HanfAstrid-Alexandra KleinMaria-Sophie BrueckleLisa RietschelJenny PetermannFranziska BrosseSylvia Schulz-RotheSophia KlasingChristiane MuthHanna SeidlingJennifer EnglerKarola MergenthalKaren VoigtMarjan van den Akker<h4>Background</h4>The transition of patients between inpatient and outpatient care can lead to adverse events and medication-related problems due to medication and communication errors, such as medication discontinuation, the frequency of (re-)hospitalizations, and increased morbidity and mortality. Older patients with multimorbidity and polypharmacy are particularly at high risk during transitions of care. Previous research highlighted the need for interventions to improve transitions of care in order to support information continuity, coordination, and communication. The HYPERION-TransCare project aims to improve the continuity of medication management for older patients during transitions of care.<h4>Methods and findings</h4>Using a qualitative design, 32 expert interviews were conducted to explore the perspectives of key stakeholders, which included healthcare professionals, patients and one informal caregiver, on transitions of care. Interviews were conducted between October 2020 and January 2021, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using content analysis. We narratively summarized four main topics (stakeholders' tasks, challenges, ideas for solutions and best practice examples, and patient-related factors) and mapped them in a patient journey map. Lacking or incomplete information on patients' medication and health conditions, inappropriate communication and collaboration between healthcare providers within and across settings, and insufficient digital support limit the continuity of medication management.<h4>Conclusions</h4>The study confirms that medication management during transitions of care is a complex process that can be compromised by a variety of factors. Legal requirements and standardized processes are urgently needed to ensure adequate exchange of information and organization of medication management before, during and after hospital admissions. Despite the numerous barriers identified, the findings indicate that involved healthcare professionals from both the inpatient and outpatient care settings have a common understanding.https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0300047&type=printable
spellingShingle Truc Sophia Dinh
Maria Hanf
Astrid-Alexandra Klein
Maria-Sophie Brueckle
Lisa Rietschel
Jenny Petermann
Franziska Brosse
Sylvia Schulz-Rothe
Sophia Klasing
Christiane Muth
Hanna Seidling
Jennifer Engler
Karola Mergenthal
Karen Voigt
Marjan van den Akker
Informational continuity of medication management in transitions of care: Qualitative interviews with stakeholders from the HYPERION-TransCare study.
PLoS ONE
title Informational continuity of medication management in transitions of care: Qualitative interviews with stakeholders from the HYPERION-TransCare study.
title_full Informational continuity of medication management in transitions of care: Qualitative interviews with stakeholders from the HYPERION-TransCare study.
title_fullStr Informational continuity of medication management in transitions of care: Qualitative interviews with stakeholders from the HYPERION-TransCare study.
title_full_unstemmed Informational continuity of medication management in transitions of care: Qualitative interviews with stakeholders from the HYPERION-TransCare study.
title_short Informational continuity of medication management in transitions of care: Qualitative interviews with stakeholders from the HYPERION-TransCare study.
title_sort informational continuity of medication management in transitions of care qualitative interviews with stakeholders from the hyperion transcare study
url https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0300047&type=printable
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