[The psychopharmacological treatment of older people in need of care : Part 1: the perspective of inpatient care].

BACKGROUND

Studies show a variety of risks associated with psychotropic medication for older people in need of long-term care in Germany. In inpatient care, nursing has important tasks when dealing with psychotropic drugs, such as placement and administration, patient observation and communication with doctors.

AIM OF STUDY

The study examined experiences and assessments of the handling of psychotropic drugs in inpatient care from the perspective of managers.

METHOD

Reported are the results of an online survey conducted in 2019 among heads of inpatient care facilities on the handling of psychiatric drugs in care of older people. Statistical data analysis was performed, open questions were additionally evaluated by content analysis.

RESULTS

The response rate was 7.9 %. Respondents' assessments regarding the handling of psychotropic drugs and also the perception of care problems were heterogeneous. Specialist care, cooperation with doctors and the qualification of caregivers were given high priority for the handling of psychotropic drugs. Selected means in dealing with psychotropic drugs were used by a small proportion of the respondents and were not known to all of them.

DISCUSSION

Further research is needed on the different assessment of the use of psychotropic drugs and the different use of concepts and instruments. Ensuring communication between the professional groups will continue to be of great importance in the future. Challenges are the presumably increasing shortage of specialists/doctors but also the shortage of nursing staff.