FEASIBILITY STUDY OF A CLINICAL DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR
POLYMEDICATED PATIENTS IN PRIMARY CARE
Abstract
Drug treatment in elderly patients is a challenge for healthcare
systems. This challenge is exacerbated by age-related changes in
pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, multimorbidity, frailty and
cognitive impairment. Moreover, old patients are commonly exposed to
polypharmacy, leading to increased risk of drug interactions, adverse
drug reactions, and higher costs for the healthcare systems. Thus, the
complex task of prescribing medications to older polymedicated patients
encourages the use of Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS). This
paper evaluates the CDSS miniQ for identifying potentially inappropriate
prescribing in older adults with polypharmacy and to assesses the
usability and acceptability of miniQ in health care professionals,
patients, and caregivers. It describes how useful is CDSS miniQ system
for Primary Care physicians, as well as for patients and their
caregivers to know their medications. The discussion emphasizes how this
system is useful to improve the prescribing process and reduce errors.