Community pharmacy staff perceptions on preventing alcohol and medication interactions in older adults

Reducing Medication Risks in Older Adult Drinkers

Objectives: Prevalent concomitant alcohol and medication use among older adults is placing this group at risk for adverse health events. Given limited existing interventions to address concomitant alcohol and medication risk (AMR), a brief educational intervention was demonstrated. The purpose of the current study was to examine change in AMR behaviors 3 months post-education among older adult drinkers. Methods: A convenience sample of 58 older adult drinkers (mean age = 72) was recruited and followed (n = 40; 70% at follow-up), from four pharmacies in rural Virginia. Results: Findings indicated decreased alcohol consumption in high-risk drinkers. Conclusion: Future research should explore methods to sustain reduced AMR.

Pharmacy Staff Perspectives on Alcohol and Medication Interaction Prevention Among Older Rural Adults

Older adults are at high risk for alcohol and medication interactions (AMI). Pharmacies have the potential to act as ideal locations for AMI education, as pharmacy staff play an important role in the community. This study examined the perspectives of pharmacy staff on AMI prevention programming messaging, potential barriers to and facilitators of older adult participation in such programming, and dissemination methods for AMI prevention information. Flyers, telephone calls, and site visits were used to recruit 31 pharmacy staff members who participated in semistructured interviews. A content analysis of interview transcriptions was conducted to identify major themes, categories, and subcategories. The main categories identified for AMI prevention messaging were Informational, Health Significance, and Recommendations. Within barriers to participation, the main categories identified were Health Illiteracy, Personal Attitudes, and Feasibility. The main categories identified for program facilitators were Understanding, Beneficial Consequences, and Practicality. Multimethod dissemination strategies were commonly suggested. This study found positive pharmacy staff perspectives for the planning and implementation of AMI prevention programming, and future development and feasibility testing of such programming in the pharmacy setting is warranted.

Immediate effects of a brief intervention to prevent alcohol and medication interactions among older adults

Risk of experiencing alcohol and medication interactions (AMI) is significant among older adults due to the substantial prevalence of alcohol and medication use in this segment of the population. Given the lack of community-level AMI prevention interventions for older adults, this study aimed to examine the immediate effects of a brief, pharmacy-based intervention to prevent AMI among older adults, as well as assess differential effects by past-month drinking status. A convenience sample of 134 adults aged 59 and older was recruited from four pharmacies in rural Virginia. Participants were assessed on their AMI awareness, intentions and importance prior to and immediately after exposure to intervention materials. Findings support immediate, positive intervention effects on AMI awareness, intentions and perceived importance of AMI messaging. Changes from pre to post-test did not differ by drinking status, but participants who consumed alcohol were less likely than non-drinkers to recognize the potential consequential severity of alcohol and medication interactions at both time points. Recommendations and future research to prevent AMI are discussed.

Acceptability of intervention materials to decrease risk for alcohol and medication interactions among older adults

BACKGROUND

The majority of older adults take prescription or over-the-counter medications and about half consume alcohol regularly. Despite high risk for alcohol medication interactions (AMI), few community-level interventions exist to prevent AMI. The current study assessed the acceptability of educational materials created for use in a brief intervention to prevent AMI among older adults.

METHODS

Older adults from two senior centers reviewed intervention materials (poster, patient and pharmacist brochures, and public service announcement) and participated in a pre and post-test to provide feedback and to assess changes in AMI-related awareness and intentions.

RESULTS

Post-test data showed positive feedback and an increase in participant understanding of AMI prevention, with statistically significant changes in perceived importance of messaging surrounding risky alcohol use and potential consequences of AMI.

DISCUSSION

The intervention materials were positively received, and participant feedback indicated that the collective presentation of all the materials was the most preferred tool for educating the community. With positive trends in awareness and knowledge, intervention effectiveness needs to be further evaluated in future large-scale studies.

LESSONS LEARNED

This study provides health education specialists with tools to prevent alcohol and medication interactions among older adults.