Why are the researchers doing this study? Many older adults take five or more medicines every day. Some of these medicines may no longer help them. Some may even cause harm, such as falls, confusion or tiredness. At the same time, a medicine the person needs may be missing.
The researchers want to find out whether a careful review of a person's medicines helps older adults stay well. They will look at intrinsic capacity. This means the physical and mental abilities a person can draw on: memory and thinking, walking and moving, eating well, mood, eyesight and hearing. They will also look at quality of life, daily life, health and social conditions.
This kind of study has not been done before in primary health care centers in Lebanon.
Who can take part?
You may be able to join if you:
* are 65 years old or older
* have been a patient at one of the health centers for at least one year
* take five or more medicines for long-term health problems
* can carry out your daily activities on your own What will happen in the study? About 452 people will join at the primary health care centers of the Order of Malta Lebanon.
A computer will place each person in one of two groups, by chance, like the toss of a coin. About half (226 people) will be in each group:
* In the first group, a pharmacist will go through all of the person's medicines. The pharmacist will use tools made for checking medicines in older people. The pharmacist will then send suggestions to the person's doctor. The doctor decides what to change. No medicine is changed without the doctor's agreement.
* In the second group, people will keep taking the medicines their doctor already prescribed. These medicines are checked in the usual way, which is the same for all patients. They are not checked with tools made for older people.
The study does not test any new or experimental medicine. Every month, when the person comes to pick up their medicines, the pharmacist will check the medicine list. The pharmacist will write down any change and any problem the person reports.
The researchers will check the person's abilities three times: at the start, after three months, and after six months. They will also ask about quality of life, health and social conditions at the start and after six months.
Each person takes part for six months. What are the possible risks and benefits? In both groups, a person's medicines may change during the study. A medicine may be added, stopped or replaced after a review.
Medicines can cause new problems, such as side effects. This can happen with a new medicine. It can also happen with a medicine the person has taken for a long time. The pharmacist asks about such problems every month. Any change to a person's medicines is decided by their own doctor, as in normal care.
People in the study may or may not feel better. The researchers hope the results will help care for older people in Lebanon and in other countries.
What happens after the study? People in both groups keep receiving the usual care of their health center. Taking part does not change a person's right to care. Joining is a free choice. A person can stop at any time, and their care will not change.
