Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41018412›Full record

ArticleCureus2025

A Scalable, Multi-format Approach to Polypharmacy Education in Rural Older Adults: An Exploratory Pilot Study Comparing Self-Paced Packet Versus In-Person Education Interventions.

Caleb Zimmerman, Aditya Shah, Patrick Fakhoury, Christya Haddad, Keira Tolmie, Erin Williams, Jyotsna Pandey

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Trial
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Caleb ZimmermanCollege of Medicine, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, USA.
Aditya ShahCollege of Medicine, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, USA.
Patrick FakhouryCollege of Medicine, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, USA.
Christya HaddadCollege of Medicine, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, USA.
Keira TolmieCollege of Science and Engineering, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, USA.
Erin WilliamsCollege of Medicine, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, USA.
Jyotsna PandeyCollege of Medicine, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background Polypharmacy poses significant risks for older adults, especially in rural areas where healthcare access may be limited. This exploratory pilot study assessed the feasibility and potential impact of two educational interventions aimed at supporting medication management among rural older adults. Methodology We conducted a comparative intervention study from July 2024 to October 2024. Rural adults aged ≥60 years taking medications participated in in-person sessions (n = 18) or received self-paced packets (n = 33). Both interventions used the WHO's Five Moments for Medication Safety framework. Pre- and post-surveys assessed knowledge, confidence, and medication management practices using REDCap. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and inferential testing to examine associations between polypharmacy status and medication management outcomes. Results Both interventions improved polypharmacy knowledge and management confidence. Inferential analysis revealed significant associations validating intervention targets: polypharmacy (>4 medications) was significantly associated with medication management difficulty (p = 0.011) and multiple simultaneous challenges (p = 0.024, odds ratio = 9.99). In-person participants' recognition of polypharmacy risks increased from 50% to 77.8%, while provider communication confidence rose from 88.9% to 94.4%. The self-paced packet achieved wider reach (94.4% more participants), with 100% reporting information was clear and relevant, and 93.9% feeling more confident discussing medications with providers. Groups differed significantly in age distribution (p = 0.002) but not in polypharmacy burden (p = 0.766). The packet format extended access by addressing barriers such as transportation, technology access, and mobility limitations, reaching 96.8% of participants outside the primary study county compared to 47.1% for in-person sessions. Conclusions Both interventions improved outcomes, but the self-paced packet demonstrated superior scalability and engagement. Statistical analysis confirmed that polypharmacy creates significant management challenges, validating targeted educational interventions. The packet's multi-format design (printed materials, USB drives, QR codes, web links) effectively reduced participation barriers and promoted equitable access, offering a promising model for rural health interventions.

Indexed as

health education & informationmedication managementolder adults and rural communitypolypharmacyrural health challenges

Identifiers

PMID41018412
PMCPMC12466041

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.