Guncag Ozavci

Principal supervisor

Professor Elizabeth Manias (School of Nursing and Midwifery, Deakin University; Melbourne School of Health Sciences, University of Melbourne)

Associate supervisors

Professor Tracey Bucknall (School of Nursing and Midwifery, Deakin University)
Professor Robyn Woodward-Kron (Department of Medical Education, University of Melbourne)

Project title

Communicating About Managing Medications by Older Patients Across Transitions of Care.

Abstract / overview of project

Communication about managing medication during transitions of care can be a challenging process for older people aged 65 years and older because they often have complex medication regimens. Older patients’ participation in medication management can be enhanced through communication with health care providers who reinforce information about therapeutic and adverse effects of medications. However, communication between older patient and health professionals can become problematic where older people become confused by unclear and incomplete instructions.

Past research has mainly identified links between communication failures and medication errors in older people; however, little attention has been paid to exploring their perspectives and experiences of communication about medications while in hospital. This project aims to examine the characteristics of various communication encounters across, as well as within, health care settings by considering reflexive views of older people. The research findings can inform communication practices that reinforce better medication management for older people. It is part of a larger research project that has been funded by the Australian Research Council, Discovery Project Grant (DP170100308).