A cross-sectional survey of the access of older people in the Scottish Highlands to general medical practices, community pharmacies and prescription medicines

摘要

Abstract Background Access to medicines and healthcare is more problematic in remote and rural areas. Objectives To quantify issues of access to general practitioners (GPs), community pharmacies and prescribed medicines in older people resident in the Scottish Highlands. Methods Anonymized questionnaires were mailed to a random sample of 2000 older people (≥60 years) resident in the Scottish Highlands. Questionnaire items were: access and convenience to GP and pharmacy services (10 items); prescribed medicines (13 items); attitudinal statements based on the Theoretical Domains Framework (12 items); quality of life (SF8, 8 items); and demographics (12 items). Results were analysed using descriptive, inferential and spatial statistics, and principal component analysis (PCA) of attitudinal items. Results With a response rate of 54.2%, the majority reported convenient access to GPs (89.1%) and community pharmacies (84.3%). Older age respondents (p? Conclusion While the majority of respondents have convenient access to their GP practice, pharmacy and prescribed medicines, there is a need for further review of the pharmaceutical care of those of older age with poorer health, living alone in the more remote and rural areas and taking five or more prescribed medicines. Highlights ? A survey of older people resident in the Scottish Highlands on access to medical practices, pharmacies and prescribed medicines. ? Almost all reported convenient access with those older, poorer health and ≥5 medicines or more likely to have issues. ? Those in poorer health, living alone, ≥ 5 medicines and access issues had more negative attitudinal scores. ? There is need for review of pharmaceutical care of those older, in poorer health, living alone and prescribed ≥5 medicines.