Edinburgh Napier University

  Context, aims and objectives: As many as half of all patients with chronic conditions are using their medicines in a way that is not fully effective, resulting in sub-optimal treatment and subsequent increases in hospitalisations and emergency department visits. High levels of inappropriate prescribing further compound this problem. These issues are especially germane to older patients. Safe and effective pharmacotherapy remains one of the greatest challenges in this population, where models of healthcare delivery lag behind the enormous growth in single disease focused pharmacotherapy. The implications for safe, efficient, effective and sustainable deployment of healthcare resources are significant from both a healthcare systems and societal perspective.

Integrated care models have the potential to mitigate inappropriate polypharmacy, while simultaneously diminishing problems related to poor adherence. Project SIMPATHY addresses both of these issues by aiming to stimulate and support innovation throughout the European Union regarding the management of polypharmacy and adherence in the older patient. The SIMPATHY Consortium has completed case studies in eight EU countries, providing useful insights into how different health care systems address this challenge. This workshop will present these findings, using them as a basis for discussion on the practicalities of integrating new practices into existing workflow, highlighting the opportunities that an integrated care model can provide.