ESPOPF
Eastleigh Southern Parishes Older People's Forum
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Pills and Perils"Pills & Perils" is another ground-breaking piece of research by the ESPOPF Researchers. It is a telling indictment of the administration of repeat drugs for older patients and the lack of awareness of professionals. It is a survey of the problems of 845 ESPOPF members who are on repeat medication. It uses questionnaires, interviews and photographs as the research tools. Much of the research consists of quotations from older people who describe, in their own words, the problems they face. There is a fascinating brief history of repeat prescribing - from the apothecary's jars to the NHS Spine. Click here to download:
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From David Hide, Retired Psychiatrist, Chichester
Your treatise on the burdens of the aged who are committed to long term medication rings all too many familiar bells in this household. How much easier it was back in the 50s when "R Mist Pot Brom et Nux Vom 1/2 fl oz tds ex aq ac" worked wonders and did nobody much harm, although, even in those days, the huge Saturday evening surgeries without a dispenser, were a trial.
From Patricia Lee, Community Pharmacist
The article gave me much food for thought and highlighted problems which I have been aware of for some time (ie ever-changing generic brands and difficulty of blister packaging) and which I have attempted to resolve to some degree. Wholesalers dictate the generic drugs sent and, even if a specific brand is requested, there is no guarantee it will always be stocked.
Popping tablets out adds time to dispensing and there is loss of any calendar assistance.
From a post-graduate psychology student, Southampton University
I will have a close read of your research document over the weekend. I must say the document looks excellent and you have clearly put a lot of effort, thought, and hard work into it. I have also been having a good look at your website and I am impressed every time I visit it.
From Brighton University
Thank you very much for sending me a copy of “Pills and Perils”. I found it very interesting, not only for the content, but also for the fact that you used a very rich source of researchers, who, I think, are often overlooked. When you have a chance, I would like to talk through how you went about recruiting, training etc. as I am sure the lessons learned will be valuable in the future.
Mike Ellis-Martin........Brighton
School of Pharmacy & Biomolecular Sciences
University of Brighton
From Professor Mant
“Pills and Perils” is extremely impressive and shows what patient participation in research should be about. I suppose the balance for professional researchers is how to support groups like this without invading their autonomy or subverting their agenda. Anyway, thanks for drawing my attention to it. Maybe…the BMJ might wish draw attention to it by putting the report on a website and commissioning a short editorial piece on patient-led research in the journal.
David Mant........Oxford
Professor of General Practice Kellogg College
From Professor Thom
Many thanks for sending me the report, “Pills and Perils”. It is comprehensive and impressive. I’m going to give it a little more thought and may get back to you with a suggestion.
Simon Thom........London
Professor of Pharmacology, National Heart and Lung Institute
Imperial College.