Pilot study on PRIoritising MUltimedication in Multimorbid patients
Study objective
To investigate the practicability of a measure aimed at optimizing medication prescriptions in the general practice, as well as the feasibility of a planned main trial.
Study design
- Two-arm controlled, cluster-randomised pilot study in 20 family practices that have internet access
- Five patients per practice to be selected using a random process
- Inclusion criteria: at least 65 years of age, at least three chronic diseases, regularly takes at least five medicines, patient is legally competent
- Exclusion criteria: mini mental status exam (MMSE) <26, life expectancy <6 months, addictive disorder
- Data collection: at three study visits (T0 - Baseline documentation, T1 - 6 weeks after intervention, T2 - 3 months after intervention) by means of patient questionnaire, family-practice documentation in paper format and a telephone interview with the patient to be conducted by an employee of the Institute for General Practice
- Schedule for the study:
| Intervention group: | T0 | Intervention | T1 | Usual care | T2 |
| Control group: | T0 | Usual care | T1 | Usual care | T2 |
Prioritising and optimising multiple medications in elderly multimorbid patients in general practice [PRIMUM Pilot]. Pilot study on PRIoritising MUltiple medication in Multi-morbid patients [PDF]
Pre-pilot phase
All the instruments to be used in the pilot study were first tested for their practicability. For this purpose, they were distributed to family practices in the German town of Jena. The results of this pre-pilot phase were analysed independently of the general practice research team in Frankfurt by Dr. med Sven Schulz, research assistant to Professor Dr. med., Dipl.-Päd. Jochen Gensichen, MPH, Institute of General Practice, Friedrich-Schiller-University / University Hospital, Jena.
Duration of study
Begin: 01.03.2009
End: 28.02.2010
Ethics committee vote
Vote of approval E 41/09 (of 24.03.2009)
Entry into register
Controlled Trials: ISRCTN99691973