Nurses’ perspectives on medication safety for Swedish community-dwelling older adults in primary care

BACKGROUND: To improve care for community-dwelling older individuals, Swedish primary care has implemented nurse-led elderly care units targeting this group. AIM: To explore how primary care nurses working in elderly care units view their role regarding medication safety and gain their perspectives on the work model. METHODS: This was a qualitative focus group study with 14 strategically sampled primary care nurses working at elderly care units. Data were collected through three focus groups and two individual interviews between September 2024 and June 2025, audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Content analysis was applied, and the person-centred nursing framework was used to interpret the results. Triangulation and reflexivity were pursued, and an audit trail was maintained to ensure trustworthiness. RESULTS: Five categories emerged (1), diverse conditions for elderly care units (2), preventing and managing drug-related problems (3), bridging the gap - a vital function for medication safety (4), the comprehensive geriatric perspective, and (5) perceptions of the nurse's role. CONCLUSION: This study found that nurses in elderly care units recognize their potentially significant role in medication safety. Their comprehensive geriatric perspective enables them to impede or intervene on drug-related problems, compensate for fragmented care and resolve issues as a central coordinator. However, the absence of guidelines leads to inconsistent and inequitable care, insights important for further development of the work model.