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BMC Primary Care
Published in: BMC Primary Care 1/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | Research

A mixed methods study on medicines information needs and challenges in New Zealand general practice

Authors: Chloë Campbell, Rhiannon Braund, Caroline Morris

Published in: BMC Primary Care | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Background

Medicines are central to healthcare in aging populations with chronic multi-morbidity. Their safe and effective use relies on a large and constantly increasing knowledge base. Despite the current era of unprecedented access to information, there is evidence that unmet information needs remain an issue in clinical practice. Unmet medicines information needs may contribute to sub-optimal use of medicines and patient harm. Little is known about medicines information needs in the primary care setting. The aim of this study was to investigate the nature of medicines information needs in routine general practice and understand the challenges and influences on the information-seeking behaviour of general practitioners.

Methods

A mixed methods study involving 18 New Zealand general practitioner participants was undertaken. Quantitative data were collected to characterize the medicines information needs arising during 642 consultations conducted by the participants. Qualitative data regarding participant views on their medicines information needs, resources used, challenges to meeting the needs and potential solutions were collected by semi-structured interview. Integration occurred by comparison of results from each method.

Results

Of 642 consultations, 11% (n = 73/642) featured at least one medicines information need. The needs spanned 14 different categories with dosing the most frequent (26%) followed by side effects (15%) and drug interactions (14%). Two main themes describing the nature of general practitioners’ medicines information needs were identified from the qualitative data: a ‘common core’ related to medicine dose, side effects and interactions and a ‘perplexing periphery’. Challenges in the perplexing periphery were the variation in information needs, complexity, ‘known unknowns’ and ‘unknown unknowns’. Key factors affecting general practitioners’ strategies for meeting medicines information needs were trust in a resource, presence of the patient, how the information was presented, scarcity of time, awareness of the existence of a resource, and its accessibility.

Conclusions

General practitioners face challenges in meeting wide-ranging medicines information needs in patients with increasingly complex care needs. Recognising the challenges and factors that influence resource use in practice can inform optimisation of medicines information support resources. Resources for general practitioners must take into account the complexity and time constraints of real-world practice. An individually responsive approach involving greater collaboration with pharmacists and specialist medicines information support services may provide a potential solution.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Footnotes
1
Family practice physicians.
 
2
Ambulatory care.
 
3
PHARMAC is a government agency that decides which medicines are publicly funded in New Zealand. Their role includes encouraging quality use of medicines.
 
4
MIMS is a commercial point-of-care medicines information resource.
 
5
New Zealand Formulary is a government funded online point-of-care medicines information resource.
 
6
Best Practice Advocacy Centre is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that delivers educational content to medical practitioners and other health professionals.
 
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Metadata
Title
A mixed methods study on medicines information needs and challenges in New Zealand general practice
Authors
Chloë Campbell
Rhiannon Braund
Caroline Morris
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Primary Care / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 2731-4553
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-021-01451-7

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