Delivering Health Information About Self-Medication to Older Adults

Abstract

Preventing Drug Interactions in Active Older Adults is an educational intervention to prevent prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drug and alcohol interactions in active, community-living older adults. The objectives of the program are to increase older adults' knowledge of potential interactions of prescription medications with OTC drugs and alcohol and to increase their confidence (self-efficacy) about how to avoid such interactions. An interactive multimedia computer software program (Personal Education Program or PEP) was designed for the learning styles and psychomotor skills of older adults. Focus groups of older adults evaluated PEP components in a formative manner during development. The program content dealing with antacids, calcium supplements, and acid reducers was pilot tested with 60 older adults recruited from local senior centers. Participants used the PEP on notebook computers equipped with infrared-sensitive touchscreens. Users of PEP had greater knowledge and self-efficacy scores than controls. Participants indicated a high degree of satisfaction with the PEP and reported their intent to make specific changes in self-medication behaviors.

Effects of Interactive Pictorial Education on Community Dwelling Older Adult's Self Efficacy and Knowledge for Safe Medication

“…Data from previous studies reported that older adults typically take multiple medications and are at high risk of adverse drug interactions (Fialova et al, 2005). In addition, their knowledge concerning potential interactions arising from self medication and the self-efficacy to avoid such incidents was low Neafsey, Strickler, Shellman, & Padula, 2001). …”

“…Previous studies recommended that pictorial aids needed to be developed based on the target user's culture level and learning style. In this study, the researcher developed the pictorial aids while working with the focus group of older adults in a formative manner, during the development phase (Neafsey et al, 2001). The revision of the contents and designs was made based on the opinions from the focus group such as use of easy terminology, big size of text, use of simple graphics and familiar subjects and so on.…”

Reducing Adverse Self-Medication Behaviors in Older Adults with Hypertension: Results of an e-health Clinical Efficacy Trial

“…The Personal Education Program (PEP) is one such network-based e -health intervention system that has demonstrated its effectiveness in improving safe self-medication knowledge, efficacy, and behaviors among older adults with hypertension (Neafsey et al 2002, 2001; Strickler and Neafsey 2002). Its successor, the “next generation” PEP (PEP-NG), contains significant software and educational content enhancements.…”

Using Personal Handheld Computing Devices for Personalizing Healthcare

“…This may still be viewed as telehealth in a virtual sense, if one allows for software to be regarded as an agent for healthcare delivery rather than a human. One use of this mode is to provide health information access and management functions such as management of personal health records, or participation in medication adherence programs [27]. Another use is to allow self-interventions for health maintenance and improvement purposes, such as physical activity monitoring, or cognitive and mental health exercises [28].…”