Table 4 Summary of strengths and limitations of draft interventions identified by task group participants

Strengths

• Likely to be an acceptable and practicable intervention.

• One video preferred to multiple versions; preference for focus on medication review than prescribing.

• Preference for resources to be made available online rather than paper-based; however online system must be easy to access and simple to navigate.

• Likely to be an affordable, practicable and acceptable intervention.

• Presence of carer helpful to reduce patient anxiety/ reliance on patient report of information.

• Mentoring system or online forum positively received. Links with local practice-based pharmacist would be useful and would help to strengthen and co-ordinate connections between GP and community pharmacist.

Limitations

• Due to heterogeneity among dementia patients in terms of staging/severity and medication issues, it will need to be clear to whom the intervention is aimed if it is to be effective (video may need to be tailored for different stages/severities).

• Action planning document not considered to be acceptable.

• Mentoring system not considered practical, as regular meetings already take place within practices and similar systems are already in place, particularly in large GP surgeries.

• Due to heterogeneity among dementia patients in terms of staging/severity and medication issues, it will need to be clear to whom the intervention is aimed if it is to be effective (video may need to be tailored for different stages/severities).

• Time constraints if only one pharmacist on staff – pharmacists may not always be able to watch the video during working hours. Video must be concise.

Suggestions

• A ‘protocol’ should be developed to complement the video, which could include key information on contraindications and drug interactions, and which could be referred to when prescribing or conducting a medication review with a PwD.

• Use of webinars or online discussion forums with multidisciplinary input suggested instead of mentoring systems.

• One video of no more than 15 min’ duration would be most practical. As it could reach a wider audience, it may also be cost-effective.

• Further suggestions for ‘protocol’ content, e.g. common instances of potentially inappropriate prescribing, useful resources for healthcare professionals or for signposting patients/carers.