Implementing a conversation-starter tool to empower people with dementia and carers to have medicine conversations: a pilot and feasibility study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The PRIME (PReparing people living with dementia and carers to Initiate conversations about MEdicines) tool empowers consumers (people living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment and their carers) to start conversations about their medicines with their clinician. This study aimed to test the implementation (feasibility, acceptability, and adoption) of the PRIME tool amongst people with memory problems and their carers (consumers) attending a geriatric medicine clinic. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This is a before and after (pre-post) interventional Hybrid Type 3 pilot and feasibility study using a mixed-methods approach. Consumers and clinicians were recruited. The study pharmacist conducted a medicine reconciliation for consumers at baseline (T0) and gave them the PRIME tool to use before their medical appointment. Data was collected at baseline (T0), post medical appointment (T1) and three months after the appointment (T2). One-on-one interviews with consumer and clinician participants were conducted at T1. RESULTS: Twenty three consumers and seven clinicians (geriatricians or advanced geriatric medicine trainees) were recruited. It was feasible to implement the PRIME tool. Most consumers used the tool during or prior to their medical appointment and had a conversation about their medicines with their clinician (92.3%; primary outcome). DISCUSSION: The PRIME tool was adopted by participants and considered to be acceptable. Our findings suggest that the tool may encourage more conversations about medicines to occur in practice. IMPLICATIONS: Empowering consumers to engage in conversations with their clinician about their medicines may lead to improved use of medicines and health outcomes.