A scoping review of non-professional medication practices and medication safety outcomes during public health emergencies.

Kelly, Dervla; Koay, Aaron; Mineva, Gabriela; Volz, Monika; McCool, Aoibhin; McLoughlin, Eavan; Ó Conluain, Ruán; Sharma, Manuj; Kerr, Aisling; Franklin, Bryony Dean; Grimes, Tamasine

Abstract

Public health emergencies (PHE) can disrupt personal medication practices and increase the risk of medication-related harm and other negative medication-related outcomes. Our aim was to examine the extent and nature of published research on this topic to guide future research and practice. The study took the form of a scoping review. Standard electronic databases were searched. PRISMA-ScR guidelines were followed. Extracted data were organised in response to review questions and narrative accounts developed. A total of 129 studies were included, conducted across 32 countries, mostly in the USA (n = 42). Sixty-eight (53%) reported on infectious events, 49 (39%) climatological or ecological events and the remainder a mixture of terrorism, war or other disasters. The studies described several medication safety outcomes (medication-related harm, adherence, supply) and adaptive medication practices (self-altering prescribed medications, sharing medications and changing healthcare providers). Challenges to maintaining routine medication practices during a PHE included transport, finance, quarantine and knowledge-related issues. Twenty-eight studies (22%) examined health inequalities pertaining to adverse medication-related outcomes, with findings suggesting that gender, age, ethnicity, educational and socio-economic status may be related to inequalities. Research gaps identified included carers', children's and minority communities' experiences and intervention studies. There is considerable evidence of disruptions to routine personal medication practices during PHEs and of medication-related harm and other negative outcomes. Maintaining medication supply for the management of chronic conditions is a universal problem across all emergency types. Research is needed to address these disruptions, particularly amongst people who experience health inequalities who may need additional support.

Citation

KELLY, D., KOAY, A., MINEVA, G., VOLZ, M., MCCOOL, A., MCLOUGHLIN, E., Ó CONLUAIN, R., SHARMA, M., KERR, A., FRANKLIN, B.D. and GRIMES, T. 2022. A scoping review of non-professional medication practices and medication safety outcomes during public health emergencies. Public health [online], 214, pages 50-60. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2022.10.026

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 18, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Dec 13, 2022
• Publication Date: Jan 31, 2023
• Deposit Date: Jan 9, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 14, 2023
• Journal: Public health
• Print ISSN: 0033-3506
• Electronic ISSN: 1476-5616
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 214
• Pages: 50-60
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2022.10.026
• Keywords: Medication safety; Public health emergency; Medication-related harm; Medication adherence
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1840253
• Related Public URLs: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1848842