Polypharmacy and the coproduction of the experience between physicians and patients

Abstract

Purpose: To identify how physicians can help polypharmacy patients deal with their disease condition by focusing on the non-clinical factors of care processes. Therefore, this study aims to answer the following specific questions: (1) What are the causes of polypharmacy? (2) How do patients experience the consequences of polypharmacy? (3) How can the service coproduction concept help physicians manage and reduce polypharmacy? Methodology: We applied a qualitative exploratory study. Data were collected by in-depth interviews, and the material was analyzed considering three coproduction dimensions - knowledge, skills, and motivation. Main results: This research found that several non-clinical factors may cause polypharmacy and trigger problematic phenomena. Accordingly, several initiatives that add value for patients who are in polypharmacy were suggested. Academic contributions: This research increases the knowledge about the non-clinical polypharmacy factors and possible initiatives to mitigate this condition. It is also essential because there are few studies focused on this subject in developing countries like Brazil. Practical contributions: This study proposed several interventions that physicians can use to manage polypharmacy.