"We're really not ready for this": A qualitative exploration of community pharmacy personnel's perspectives on the pharmaceutical care of older people with sensory impairment.
N Alhusein, K Killick, L Macaden and 5 others
PMID 30392961WHAT IT FOUND
Pharmacy staff described concerns about safety and communication when caring for older people with sight or hearing loss.
They said patients often hid impairment, dual sensory loss was rarely addressed, and training and practical supports were needed.
Key findings
01Interviewees described safety concerns across ordering, storage, and administration, especially around multi-compartment compliance aids and medicines where effective and toxic levels are close.
02Communication breakdowns were reported when patients nodded while hearing only part of instructions, and when large print, Braille, or verbal advice did not match the patient's ability to read or remember.
03Sensory impairment was often inferred from cues or hidden by the patient, and dual sensory impairment was rarely discussed and often managed through carers.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study reports community pharmacy personnel's perspectives, not patient outcomes or tested interventions. All interviews were conducted in Scotland, so it may not reflect other pharmacy systems. Interviewees were not asked to review or confirm the findings. Dual sensory impairment was rarely discussed.
Declared interests
No conflicts of interest were declared. The Chief Scientist Office, Scottish Government funded the study.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these themes as proof that training, hearing loops, large print, or compliance aids improve medication safety. The study reports pharmacy staff's interview accounts and does not test any intervention or patient outcome.