Rational use of medicines in the older adult: the role of trust in the health care system

NAL M., Comert U., Ozturk M., BEKTAŞ G.

BMC GERIATRICS, cilt.25, sa.1, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 25 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1186/s12877-025-06395-6
  • Dergi Adı: BMC GERIATRICS
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Background More than 50% of drugs used by people worldwide are used inappropriately. This rate increases even more in older adults due to reasons such as memory loss, forgetfulness, and polypharmacy. The population of older adults is increasing worldwide, and therefore, rational drug use in older individuals is becoming even more important.
Objective This study aims to determine the effects of demographic characteristics and trust in the health care system on the rational use of medicines among older adults.
Design A cross-sectional study design was employed, and data were collected from older adult participants using structured questionnaires. Data were collected using a convenience sampling method from 443 elderly individuals who presented to public hospitals and private pharmacies in T & uuml;rkiye. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the predictive power of these variables on the rational use of medicines.
Results Trust in the health care system was found to be a significant positive predictor of rational use of medicines ( R <^> 2 = 0.167 , p < 0.001 )
Conclusion Findings suggest the need for targeted interventions that take into account sociodemographic and psychological factors to support the safe use of medications in aging societies.
Patient or public contribution Increasing trust in the health care system also strengthens individuals' trust in rational drug use. This result shows that increasing trust in the health care system is important in encouraging conscious drug use in society.