Pereira, FilipaBieri, Mariondel Rio Carral, MariaMartins, MMVerloo, Henk2023-04-182023-04-182022BMC Nursing (2022) 21:2841472-6955http://hdl.handle.net/10400.26/44577Background Safe medication management for older adults after hospital discharge requires a well-coordinated, interprofessional, patient-centered approach. This study aimed to describe the perceived needs for collaborative medication management for older adults taking several different medications at home after hospital discharge. Methods A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with older adults (n=28), informal (n=17), and professional caregivers (n=13). Results Findings revealed four main needs: older adults and informal caregivers’ perceived needs for greater involvement in discharge planning; older adults’ perceived needs to be informed, listened to, and to be actively involved in decision-making; informal caregivers’ perceived needs for help in supporting and coordinating medication management; and older adults’ and informal and professional caregivers’ perceived needs for better communication and coordination between professional caregivers. Conclusion This study revealed two underutilized pathways towards improving collaborative medication management: medication follow-up involving a community healthcare professional taking an overarching responsibility and empowering older adults and their informal caregivers in medication management after hospital discharge.engOlder adultsInformal caregiversPolypharmacyQualitative descriptive researchjournal article10.1186/s12912-022-01061-3