Triadic Primary Care Encounters Managing Medications Among Individuals With Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: Patient, Caregiver, and Clinician Perspectives

Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies

We enrolled 32 patients, 32 caregivers, and 25 clinicians. Patients, caregivers, and clinicians all prioritized patient-focused clinical encounters and noted transitions in medication management responsibilities typically occur after observing reduced patient capacity. During these transitions, clinicians noted they do not routinely provide an overview of their patients' medications to caregivers, yet caregivers expressed desire for this. Three cross-cutting themes also emerged: (a) balancing patient cognitive impairment limitations and retention of patient autonomy is important to all members of the triad; (b) historical relationship dynamics inform current clinical encounters and medication management; (c) additional time is needed to manage patients with multiple conditions and medications. DISCUSSION AND Opportunities exist to utilize a multidisciplinary care team to initiate thoughtful early planning for transitions in medication management responsibilities and provide supplemental counseling and materials that reiterate the value of triadic relationships, and detail patient-medication guidance.

Key findings

• We enrolled 32 patients, 32 caregivers, and 25 clinicians.
• Patients, caregivers, and clinicians all prioritized patient-focused clinical encounters and noted transitions in medication management responsibilities typically occur after observing reduced patient capacity.
• During these transitions, clinicians noted they do not routinely provide an overview of their patients' medications to caregivers, yet caregivers expressed desire for this.
• Three cross-cutting themes also emerged: (a) balancing patient cognitive impairment limitations and retention of patient autonomy is important to all members of the triad; (b) historical relationship dynamics inform current clinical encounters and medication management; (c) additional time is needed to manage patients with multiple conditions and medications.
• DISCUSSION AND Opportunities exist to utilize a multidisciplinary care team to initiate thoughtful early planning for transitions in medication management responsibilities and provide supplemental counseling and materials that reiterate the value of triadic relationships, and detail patient-medicati

Why it matters

In this study of 32 patients, 32 caregivers and 25 clinicians, transitions in medication management responsibilities typically occurred after reduced patient capacity, and clinicians did not routinely give caregivers an overview of medications even though caregivers wanted one. It identifies opportunities for early planning and supplemental counseling, but does not test any treatment, cure or prevention for dementia.

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Study details

• Participants32
• Evidence strengthLow

Read the original

• DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnaf122
• PubMed: 40177942
• Original source →
• Free full text: PubMed Central →

Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).

@article{oconor2025-40177942,
  author  = {O’Conor, Rachel M. and Pack, Allison P. and Russell, Andrea M. and Oladejo, Dianne and Rogalski, Emily Joy and Morhardt, Darby and Fortinsky, Richard H. and Lindquist, Lee Ann and others},
  title   = {{Triadic Primary Care Encounters Managing Medications Among Individuals With Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: Patient, Caregiver, and Clinician Perspectives}},
  journal = {The Gerontologist},
  year    = {2025},
  doi     = {10.1093/geront/gnaf122},
  pmid    = {40177942},
  url     = {https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnaf122}
}

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