Association between experience of interprofessional care and self-medication among family caregivers: A cross-sectional study

Shoichi Masumoto; Gen Nakayama; Junji Haruta; Tetsuhiro Maeno

doi:10.1016/j.sapharm.2023.01.005

Association between experience of interprofessional care and self-medication among family caregivers: A cross-sectional study

Res Social Adm Pharm. 2023 May;19(5):773-777. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2023.01.005. Epub 2023 Jan 10.

Authors

Shoichi Masumoto¹, Gen Nakayama², Junji Haruta³, Tetsuhiro Maeno⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Family Medicine, General Practice and Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan; Department of General Medicine, Tsukuba Central Hospital, 1589-3 Kashiwadacho, Ushiku, Ibaraki, 300-1211, Japan. Electronic address: smash422@md.tsukuba.ac.jp.
² Department of Primary Care and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan. Electronic address: nakayama.gen.ww@alumni.tsukuba.ac.jp.
³ Medical Education Center, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan. Electronic address: junharujp@keio.jp.
⁴ Department of Primary Care and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan. Electronic address: maenote@md.tsukuba.ac.jp.

PMID: 36658019
DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2023.01.005

Abstract

Background: Although healthcare professionals pay attention to the drugs prescribed by physicians, few studies have assessed self-medication by family caregivers. Family caregivers' experience of interprofessional care in the care of patients can influence caregivers' health behaviors.

Objectives: This study aimed to describe self-medication among family caregivers of community-dwelling adult patients, and to assess association between family caregivers' experience of interprofessional care and their self-medication, adjusting for possible confounding factors.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey from November to December 2020 in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. Family caregivers between 40 and 74 years old and caring for community-dwelling adult patients with chronic conditions were recruited. The use of any self-medication in the last 2 weeks by family caregivers was the outcome variable. The explanatory variable was family caregivers' experience of interprofessional care in the care of patients, using the Japanese version of the Caregivers' Experience Instrument (J-IEXPAC CAREGIVERS). Adjusted covariates were age, gender, educational attainment, annual household income, self-rated health, and caregiving time of family caregivers.

Results: Of 1091 recruited family caregivers, 750 were included in the analysis. A total of 258 (34.4%) family caregivers reported having used self-medication in the past 2 weeks. Logistic regression analysis showed that having a higher score on the J-IEXPAC CAREGIVERS (odds ratio 0.80 per 1 standard deviation increase) was associated with less use of self-medication by caregivers.

Conclusions: This study revealed that about one-third of family caregivers self-medicate, and this practice is associated with a less positive experience of interprofessional care. These results suggest that it is important for healthcare professionals to be aware of the health condition of family caregivers and to provide appropriate advice regarding self-medication.

Keywords: Caregivers; Interprofessional care; Patient experience; Self-medication.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Aged
Caregivers*
Chronic Disease
Cross-Sectional Studies
Humans
Japan
Middle Aged
Self Medication*