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Page: << Prev | 1 | 2 The second study reviewed a Medical College of Wisconsin program about the elderly and polypharmacy -- the use of multiple drugs -- that had medical students and residents take complex regimens of candy "medications" for a week.
As a result of this hands-on experience, students learned about barriers elderly people may encounter when trying to maintain a dosing schedule, including the ailments of old age, such as arthritis, poor eyesight or memory, and psychological issues such as feeling one was taking too many medications and that meds weren't alleviating their ills. They discussed possible solutions to these issues -- including decreasing the number of medications, and utilizing friends and family to help keep the patient on their dosing schedules -- with each other and faculty members.
Questionnaires filled out before and after the program found that the participants believed they had become much more knowledgeable about the problems facing the elderly taking multiple medications, and that they would try to reduce the number and doses of prescriptions they give to seniors.
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"Walking in their patient's shoes helps them think practically about changes both the physician and patient can make to decrease medications, and to help patients take their medications correctly," study lead author Dr. Kathryn Denson, said in a news release.
More information
The AARP offers tips on using medications wisely. Page: << Prev | 1 | 2
-- Kevin McKeever
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