Medication Problems from the Perspective of the Elderly: a Qualitative Study

Introduction: Aging is associated with non-communicable diseases and it gives rise to increase drug consumption. Regarding deeper cognition of the subject, a qualitative study was accomplished for recognition of taking medication problems from the elderly's viewpoint in Hamadan health centers. Methods: The present qualitative study was done through conventional content analysis. The data were collected using semi-structured deep interviews with 15 elderlies referred to health-care centers in Hamadan. The participants were selected through purposive sampling from both genders and maximum variation of age, social and economic class and education level. Data strength was confirmed by member and external check. All the interviews were transcribed and analyzed using content analysis method. Results: Analyzing data led to extraction of 7 themes of ignorance to medication use, medication forgetfulness, physical and mental status of the elderly, need to others help and support in medication use, relative negligence, economic and environmental problems in addition to 22 sub-themes of taking medication problems from elderly's viewpoint. Conclusion: Study represented elderly people having some personal and environmental problems regarding medication. Alternatively, drug consumption difficulties in old people led to other side effects, individual's problems, and some problems related to their health.