Determining the prevalence and nature of oral formulation-related barriers to medicines administration in paediatric patients suffering from chronic conditions
Year: 2014
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: A systematic review identified limited studies exploring oral formulation-related barriers to medicines administration in children. Owing to the lack of licensed medicines suitable for use in children, manipulation is often required to deliver a specific dose or to facilitate medicines administration. Little is known regarding the prevalence and nature of issues encountered when administering medicines to children in the domiciliary setting. \n \nThis study adopted a pragmatic approach to determine the nature and prevalence of oral formulation-related barriers to medicines administration in children suffering from a range of chronic conditions. Problems reported by healthcare professionals, patients and their parents/carers were identified to inform future pharmaceutical development and improve children’s medicines. \n \nFocus groups (n=4) were conducted with healthcare professionals in the West Midlands and semi-structured face-to-face interviews (n=278) were conducted with parents/carers/young people at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire. Questions explored barriers to medicines administration, refusal and manipulation. \n \nIn total, 31% of interview respondents reported medicines refusal. Taste was the most commonly reported barrier to medicines administration. Almost one fifth (19%) of medicines administered to children were reported to require manipulation. Findings indicate that age-appropriate medicines are required to provide both suitable dose units and acceptable taste for paediatric patients.
Author: Rebecca Hayley Venables
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W182277500