Subjective factors of polymedication in the elderly: a qualitative study of the perceptions of patients, their families and referring physicians

Polymedication of the elderly raises questions about the behavior of prescribers, patients and the organization of the healthcare system. In particular, it raises questions about the rationality of prescribing and consumption: how can we understand why this phenomenon persists, despite the data establishing its harmful consequences and despite the tools disseminated to improve practices?

According to the literature published on the subject, research efforts today should focus on identifying these subjective obstacles. To our knowledge, no study has explored the views of patients, doctors and relatives in a triangular fashion. The DOSAGE study proposes to explore polymedication by studying the phenomenon in its French context and interviewing the elderly person, their prescribing physician and one of their relatives.