ArticleBMJ open2019
Physicians' role in the development of inappropriate polypharmacy among older adults in Iran: a qualitative study.
Article in BMJ open, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.
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Who cites it
6 citing papers in PubMed.
- Article
- Polypharmacy and Potentially Inappropriate Medication in Iranian People With Metabolic Syndrome: Epidemiological Aspects and Related Factors, a Multi-Level Cross-Sectional National Study.Health science reports · 2025Article
- Prevalence and Determinants of Polypharmacy: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Elderly Patients With Cardiovascular Diseases in Outpatient Clinics.Scientifica · 2025Article
- Overuse of medications in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review.Bulletin of the World Health Organization · 2023Article
- Potentially Inappropriate Medications among Elderly with Frailty in a Tertiary Care Academic Medical Centre in Saudi Arabia.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2022Article
- Article
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivesThe use of unnecessary or excessive medications (inappropriate polypharmacy) is a major health challenge among older adults which is driven by several factors. This study aims to provide in-depth descriptions of the physician's role in the development of inappropriate polypharmacy among older adults in Iran.
designQualitative content analysis of interviews, field notes and other relevant documents available (eg, medical records). Data collection and analyses were done concurrently to guide the sampling process.
settingThree purposively selected referral hospitals in Tehran, Iran.
participantsA total of 7 physicians, 10 older adults, 3 caregivers and 3 pharmacists with a median age of 54 (IQR 23) years were recruited through convenience sampling.
resultsEmerged categories included misdiagnosis, inappropriate prescribing, insufficient patient education, poor communication, unprofessional behaviour and limited perspectives which highlight the role of physicians in the development of inappropriate polypharmacy among older adults in Iran under the main concept of poor medical practice.
conclusionThis study provides valuable insight on the role of physicians in the development of inappropriate polypharmacy among the elderly in the healthcare setting in Iran by exploring the viewpoints of physicians, patients, caregivers and pharmacists. Physicians can be an influential factor in tackling this challenge through proper diagnosis, prescription, patient education and follow-up. In Iran, physicians' practice styles are affected by potentially adverse factors such as the novelty of geriatric medicine, lack of a referral system, patient unfamiliarity with the system and lack of a monitoring system for multiple prescriptions. Furthermore, clinics tend to be overcrowded and visit fees can be low; in this setting, lack of physician assistants leads to limited time allocation to each patient and physician dissatisfaction with their income.
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