What influences prescribing decisions in a multimorbidity and polypharmacy context on the acute medical unit? An interprofessional, qualitative study.

Prescribing decisions on the acute medical admissions unit were influenced by a variety of factors, some of which have already been acknowledged within existing theories and models. The findings provisionally offer new insights, which, subject to confirmation by further research, bring to light three attitudinal characteristics that may impact negatively upon the quality of prescribing decisions. These include, first, how perceived poor reliability of medication history may result in information gaps that compromise prescribing decisions; second, how competing priorities restrict doctors' aptitude to conduct a review of medication and finally, how doctors may rationalize the assignment of medication review to the GP.