Perspectives About Older Adult and Family Member Engagement in Medication Management Across Transitions of Care.

Authors

Grace Marconi, Maneesh Prasad, Kerry Hwang, Caitlin Deery, Kelly Ottosen, Elizabeth Manias

Published in

Journal of clinical nursing. Jun 19, 2026. Epub Jun 19, 2026.

Abstract

To explore perspectives of older patients, family members, and healthcare professionals regarding patient and family engagement in medication management across transitions of care.
A qualitative study utilising semi-structured interviews with patients aged ≥ 65, family members and healthcare professionals.
Participants were recruited from four hospital sites from a major public hospital system which services a large socioeconomically diverse population of metropolitan Melbourne. Interviews were analysed using inductive content analysis.
In total, 67 patients, 66 family members, and 69 healthcare professionals participated in the study (n = 202). The three themes generated were: challenges in supporting patients and families in communication, factors influencing patient and family ability to communicate, and approaches to enhanced engagement.
There is a need for strategies which empower and encourage patients and family members to engage in medication management, which, despite complex barriers, could be achieved through enhanced communication.
Proposed strategies present possibilities for older patients and families to engage in medication management across transitions of care, providing opportunities to reduce medication errors and adverse events with the potential to improve patient outcomes.
This research uncovers the complexities relating to older patient and family engagement and decision-making, and generates strategies to improve communication in medication management.
Conducted in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research.
This study sought insights from older patients who were admitted to hospital and family members, with experience in managing medications across transitions of care. Two consumers with lived experience as caregivers for older patients and involved in medication management were invited to contribute to manuscript preparation and provided detailed feedback, which was implemented in the final manuscript.
Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) on 24 July 2024: ACTRN12624000901505.

PMID:
42321972
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 20 Jun 2026.

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