MedPath

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Improve Adherence to Medical Recommendations in Older Adults

Not Applicable
Conditions
Fall
Medication Adherence
Aging
Multidisciplinary Communication
Hospital Discharge
Interventions
Behavioral: Educational training
Registration Number
NCT05719870
Lead Sponsor
University Hospital of Ferrara
Brief Summary

Background and overall goal: Poor comprehension and medication adherence are common in older people, especially after hospitalizations, in case of changes or prescriptions of new therapeutic regimes. The aim of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness of a multidomain intervention with an integrated care approach, in improving medication adherence in older people after hospital discharge. A secondary aim is investigate the determinants of poor comprehension and medication adherence in such individuals.

Target population: The project will involve older patients hospitalized in a Geriatric Department and discharged at home, and (when present) their caregivers.

Methods and assessments: Upon hospital discharge, data from the comprehensive geriatric assessment and information on the present hospitalization and prescribed therapies will be collected for all participants. The comprehension of medical recommendations reported in the discharge summary will be evaluated for all patients/caregiver before and after the routine explanation by treating physicians. Participants will be then randomized in intervention vs. control group. The intervention will include: first, educational training of patients/caregivers at hospital discharge by a multidisciplinary team; second, after hospital discharge, a phone recall on the prescribed therapies and a one-week phone consultant service managed by a geriatrician, supported by the multidisciplinary team, to address potential concerns on prescribed treatments. Control group will follow usual care. After 7 days medication adherence will be assessed for both study groups through structured phone interviews. At 30 and 90 days from discharge, data on falls, rehospitalizations and vital status will be collected through hospital records.

Detailed Description

Background and overall goal: Poor comprehension and medication adherence are common in older people, especially after hospitalizations, in case of changes or prescriptions of new therapeutic regimes. The aim of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness of a multidomain intervention with an integrated care approach, in improving medication adherence in older people after hospital discharge. Moreover, a secondary aim is to investigate the determinants of poor comprehension and medication adherence in such individuals.

Target population: The project will involve older patients hospitalized in a Geriatric Department and discharged at home, and (when present) their caregivers.

Methods and assessments: Upon hospital discharge, data from the comprehensive geriatric assessment and information on the present hospitalization and prescribed therapies will be collected for all participants. The comprehension of medical recommendations reported in the discharge summary will be evaluated for all patients/caregiver before and after the routine explanation by treating physicians. Participants will be then randomized in intervention vs. control group. The intervention will include: first, educational training of patients/caregivers at hospital discharge by a multidisciplinary team; second, after hospital discharge, a phone recall on the prescribed therapies and a one-week phone consultant service managed by a geriatrician, supported by the multidisciplinary team, to address potential concerns on prescribed treatments. Control group will follow usual care. After 7, 30 and 90 days, data on medication adherence, falls, rehospitalizations and vital status will be assessed for both study groups through structured phone interviews and hospital records.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
360
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Intervention groupEducational trainingPatients hospitalized in the Geriatric Unit aged 60 years or older, that living in the community setting and who will be discharged at home and with expected survival \>7 days.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Comprehension of medical recommendation at hospital dischargeAt baseline (corresponding to hospital discharge)

number of mistakes in recalling the prescribed therapy

Adherence to the recommendations provided by the occupational therapist at hospital discharge7 days after hospital discharge

number of days per week of recommendations' adherence

Adherence to medical recommendations given at hospital discharge7 days after hospital discharge

number of discrepancies in taking the prescribed therapy

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Number of rehospitalizations30 and 90 days after hospital discharge

Evaluation through structured telephone interviews

Number of emergency department visits30 and 90 days after hospital discharge

Evaluation through structured telephone interviews

Mortality7, 30 and 90 days after hospital discharge

Assessment of vital status through hospital records and telephone interviews

Number of falls30 and 90 days after hospital discharge

Evaluation through structured telephone interviews

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Geriatric Unit of Ferrara Hospital

🇮🇹

Ferrara, Italy

Geriatric Unit of the Padua Central Hospital

🇮🇹

Padova, Italy

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath