Factors associated with the decision to prescribe and administer antipsychotics for older people with delirium: A qualitative descriptive study

Abstract

Objectives To explore factors associated with decision-making of nurses and doctors in prescribing and administering as required antipsychotic medications to older people with delirium. Design Qualitative descriptive. Setting Two acute care hospital organisations in Melbourne, Australia. Participants Nurses and doctors were invited to participate. Semi-structured focus groups and individual interviews were conducted between May 2019 and March 2020. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results Participants were 42 health professionals; n=25 nurses and n=17 doctors. Themes relating to decisions to use antipsychotic medication were..