Whilst there is a clear perception that the type and amount of work output expected from individual community pharmacists has been changing and increasing over the last few decades, pharmacists are viewed as continuing to remain based in the dispensary. The impact of such changes to the practice of community pharmacy in the UK is poorly defined, although links have been made to increasing levels of pharmacist job dissatisfaction and stress.

ObjectivesTo revise the Living with Medicines Questionnaire version 2 (LMQ-2), which measures the burden of using prescribed medicines, to include cost and expand side effects and social issues.MethodsNew statements were developed and validated through cognitive interviews with medicine users, and these and a global visual analog scale (VAS) were added to the 42-item LMQ-2. Construct validity was assessed through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses using an online public survey. Criterion-related validity was measured against the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire with Medication (TSQM-II) and the EuroQoL 5-level quality of life measure (EQ-5D-5L), in patients using community pharmacies, general practices, and outpatient clinics. Reliability was assessed by test–retest using online public distribution.ResultsThe 58-item interim instrument (n=729) was reduced to 41 items after factor analysis, which confirmed an eight-domain structure: relationships with health professionals, practicalities, interferences, effectiveness, side effects, concerns, cost, and autonomy, constructed as medicine burden. All subscales, except autonomy, were loaded onto this construct and showed acceptable internal consistency. LMQ-VAS correlated with total LMQ scores (r=0.571). Criterion validation (n=422) demonstrated total LMQ scores negatively correlated with TSQM scores for global satisfaction (r=–0.616); domain scores showed similar correlations: effectiveness (r=–0.628), side effects (r=–0.597), and practicalities (r=–0.529). Total LMQ score was negatively correlated with EQ VAS (r=–0.383) and showed weak/moderate relationships with individual EQ-5D-5L dimensions. Test–retest (n=30) reliability showed intra-class correlation coefficients of 0.954 (total LMQ score), 0.733–0.929 (domain scores), and 0.789 (global item).ConclusionThe LMQ version 3 (LMQ-3) instrument has acceptable construct, criterion-related and known-groups validity, and is internally consistent as a measure of medicine burden, although reliability requires further confirmation. It could be used to measure the outcome of interventions designed to reduce the burden of polypharmacy.

BackgroundMedicine-related burden is an increasingly recognized concept, stemming from the rising tide of polypharmacy, which may impact on patient behaviors, including nonadherence. No instruments currently exist which specifically measure medicine-related burden. The Living with Medicines Questionnaire (LMQ) was developed for this purpose.ObjectiveThis study validated the LMQ in a sample of adults using regular prescription medicines in the UK.MethodsQuestionnaires were distributed in community pharmacies and public places in southeast England or online through UK health websites and social media. A total of 1,177 were returned: 507 (43.1%) from pharmacy distribution and 670 (56.9%) online. Construct validity was assessed by principal components analysis and item reduction undertaken on the original 60-item pool. Known-groups analysis assessed differences in mean total scores between participants using different numbers of medicines and between those who did or did not require assistance with medicine use. Internal consistency was assessed by Cronbach’s alpha. Free-text comments were analyzed thematically to substantiate underlying dimensions.ResultsA 42-item, eight-factor structure comprising intercorrelated dimensions (patient–doctor relationships and communication about medicines, patient–pharmacist communication about medicines, interferences with daily life, practical difficulties, effectiveness, acceptance of medicine use, autonomy/control over medicines and concerns about medicine use) was derived, which explained 57.4% of the total variation. Six of the eight subscales had acceptable internal consistency (α>0.7). More positive experiences were observed among patients using eight or fewer medicines compared to nine or more, and those independent with managing/using their medicines versus those requiring assistance. Free-text comments, provided by almost a third of the respondents, supported the domains identified.ConclusionThe resultant LMQ-2 is a valid and reliable multidimensional measure of prescription medicine use experiences, which covers more diverse domains than existing questionnaires. However, further validation work is necessary.

Many patients find using medicines burdensome. This paper reports the types of issues people experience with medicines, using a validated measure of medicines burden, and the factors associated with high burden. The cross-sectional study involved patients presenting prescriptions at pharmacies or awaiting appointments at GP practices or outpatient clinics, during October 2015 to December 2016. Adults using at least one regular medicine were asked to complete the Living with Medicines Questionnaire V3 (LMQ-3). The LMQ-3 contains 41 statements rated on a 5-point scale (strongly agree to strongly disagree), with higher scores indicating greater burden, plus a visual analogue scale for self-reporting of overall perceived burden (VAS-burden). For a subsample, access to their medication record was requested, facilitating calculation of the complexity of their medicine regimen using the Medicine Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI). Of 1,888 questionnaires distributed, 684 were returned (36.2%) and medication records obtained for 163. The median number of medicines respondents reported using was 4 (range 1 to 26). Two-thirds (418; 67.0%) used medicines more than once daily, 67 (10.1%) required assistance with medicines and 189 (28.3%) paid a prescription charge. LMQ-3 scores showed a strong positive relationship with VAS-burden scores (r = .547; p < 0.001). LMQ-3 and VAS-burden scores were lower in older age groups, but both increased with increasing number of medicines and dosing frequency. LMQ-3 score was positively related to MRCI score (n = 163; r = .217; p = 0.005), whereas VAS-burden was not. Older respondents reported lower burden in most domains. Higher numbers and frequency of medicines, paying prescription charges, needing support and deprivation increased burden across multiple domains. Factors strongly associated with high LMQ-3 scores were: needing support, high dosing frequency and unemployment. Interventions seeking to reduce medicines burden should consider targeting individuals who need support with using medicines, use at least four medicines, more than twice daily and/or pay prescription charges.

BackgroundThere is an increasing drive to measure and so improve patients’ experiences and outcomes of health care. This also applies to medicines, given their ubiquity as health care interventions. Patients’ experiences of using medicines vary, and instruments which measure these are seen as an essential component to improve care. We aimed to identify generic measures of patients’ experiences of using prescription medicines and to examine their properties and suitability for use in research or practice.MethodsMultiple electronic databases were searched: MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, CINHAL Plus, PROQOLID®, and Google Scholar. We identified, critically appraised, and summarized generic questionnaires assessing one or more aspects of the medicine use experience among adult patients using prescription medicines for chronic conditions, and the process of questionnaire development, degree of patient involvement, and/or validation processes.ResultsFifteen questionnaires were included. Of these, nine measures were multidimensional, covering various aspects of medicine use. Six instruments covered only a single domain, assessing a specific facet of using medicines. Domains covered were the following: effectiveness; convenience, practicalities, and/or managing medicines; information, knowledge, and/or understanding; side effects; relationships and/or communication with health professionals; impact on daily living and/or social life; general satisfaction; attitudes; beliefs, concerns, and/or perceptions; medical follow-up and/or adherence-related issues; treatment- and/or medicine-related burden, perceived control, or autonomy; self-confidence about medicine use; availability and accessibility; and medicine-related quality of life. None of the identified questionnaires covered all domains. Instruments varied in the extent of patient involvement in both their development and validation.ConclusionThere is a scarcity of psychometrically sound, comprehensive, and generic measures of experiences of using prescription medicines among adult patients living with chronic illnesses. There is a need for further development and/or validation of existing instruments suitable for use in this population.