Table 3 Benefits of performing medication reviews in secondary care, mentioned by care providers in both interviews and focus groups

Benefits of performing medication reviews in secondary care

Performing medication reviews is part of providing good care (e.g., trying to reduce readmissions)

‘Well, I think the most important argument is that it is part of proper conduct, preventing continuing damage ... Of course, it would be great if that does not happen again.’ (Geriatrician, 5–10 years of experience [yrs], focus group [FG] 3)

Performing medication reviews could be complementary to primary care

‘But of course, there are people who slip through the cracks, for example due to new facts that are not yet known.’ (Geriatrician, 5–10 yrs, FG 3)

A hospital setting has advantages compared to the primary care setting

- Access to hospital expertise and diagnostic tools

- Access to multiple specialists or consulting parties

- Possibility of monitoring patients when implementing medication changes

- More time available during hospital admission as opposed to the consulting setting of primary care

- Using the hospital admission as motivation for implementing changes

‘That is the advantage of secondary care. That you are, of course, present 24 h a day to see how that patient is doing.’ (Pharmacist working in hospital [HP], < 5 yrs, FG 3)

Education for young physicians

‘I really do notice that when you’re an assistant in training, this is very useful for the rest of your career. You are collecting knowledge.’ (GP, 10–20 yrs, FG 1)

Creating a complete patient file after discharge

‘I think that if you do a medication assessment before discharging a patient, you create ample stability for after the patient has been discharged and establish clarity for the GP, the public pharmacy, and the specialist and paint a complete picture.’ (CP, 10–20 years of experience, FG 1)