Challenges to consumers travelling with multiple medicines

Abstract

Objectives The need to maintain medicine adherence when travelling is irrefutable, yet how people achieve this goal and the challenges they encounter in doing so have seldom been explored in previous research. This study examined how consumers residing in Australia experience and manage their multiple medicines while travelling. Methods Face‐to‐face, narrative interviews were conducted in participants’ homes or workplaces and were audio and video‐recorded. The coding schema was devised with the input of an Advisory Panel with expertise in multiple medicines. Data were analysed using the constant comparative method. Key findings Participants who had experienced medicines mishaps when travelling had learnt to take greater care when planning and preparing for future trips. Prior to travelling, they rarely sought advice regarding their regular medicines from health professionals. Organising and packing their medicines could be extremely time‐consuming and confusing; younger participants especially lamented the reduced spontaneity this imposed on their lives. Replicating their usual routines was a successful strategy for many; however, this was challenged by unforeseen events and the lack of privacy. Conclusions Travel comprised inherent risks to the users of multiple medicines and often required intensive and complicated preparation. Community pharmacists and other health professionals are well placed to advise and assist consumers with complex regimens who are planning to travel, as well as raise general awareness concerning the need for utmost care with multiple medicines.

Selected Aspects of Tourist Activity Among People Suffering from Celiac Disease

“…Respondents also reported factors causing discomfort when travelling, such as lack of spontaneity and not being fully free to make decisions. Similar results can be found in Tudball et al (2015) regarding the experience of travelling with multiple medicines. Young respondents described the preparation for the trip and the need to adapt their travel plans to their medication regimen as onerous and inconsistent with the spirit of spontaneity.…”

Medication-related experiences of patients with polypharmacy: a systematic review of qualitative studies

“…We identified three additional studies from reference lists, thus assessing a total of 13 studies for methodological quality and including them in the synthesis. [28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40] All studies were reported in the English language. See online supplementary table 2 for a list of studies excluded during full-text screening.…”

From telling to sharing to silence: A longitudinal ethnography of professional‐patient communication about oral chemotherapy for colorectal cancer

“…14,15,[24][25][26][27] Much of past research on healthcare professional-patient communication about medications has also involved an examination of communication at a single point in time. 9,28,29 There has been no known published research that has examined the changing dynamics This paper seeks to address these gaps in the literature by using a longitudinal methodology to examine the specific experiences of communication for patients taking oral chemotherapy and by considering to what extent concordance is important during consultations.…”