The Challenge of Iatrogenesis
The aging population is a major challenge facing Europe. With increasing life expectancy, it has become crucial to ensure that seniors can age healthily and receive appropriate care that preserves their autonomy. It is in this context that the STOP IATRO project was launched, with the mission of preventing medication-related iatrogenesis and iatrogenic dependence—a harmful consequence of medical care on the health of individuals, particularly detrimental to the elderly.
For Aging with Autonomy and in Good Health
The project specifically aims to raise awareness among healthcare professionals about the risks of iatrogenesis, ultimately leading to better management of elderly patients. Relying on the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), particularly the ICOPE program, the STOP IATRO project seeks to implement collective strategies to prevent complications associated with care that leads to a loss of autonomy in seniors, reduce care-related dependence, and improve the relevance of medication prescriptions for the elderly.
The STOP IATRO project’s actions target both healthcare professionals and the general public. Healthcare professionals will receive training and will be involved in implementing pilot actions. Regarding the general public, actions will focus on elderly people living at home in targeted areas. These seniors will benefit from sessions on maintaining autonomy and information on the proper use of medications. Local public authorities will be informed about the actions carried out in their territory, with partnerships considered to enhance communication to the general public.
A European Cooperation Project
The STOP IATRO project is financially supported by the European Union under the Interreg SUDOE program. It brings together a consortium of six European partners committed to improving care for seniors.
The partners include two French entities: the CHU of Toulouse, the project leader, and the CHU of Limoges; two Spanish entities: the Foundation for Health and Aging (Autonomous University of Barcelona), the Andalusian Public Foundation for Biomedical and Health Research in Malaga; and two Portuguese entities: the Higher School of Health (Technical-Scientific Unit – Health Technologies) of the Polytechnic Institute of Guarda and the Department of Medical Sciences of the University of Aveiro.
Deployment of the STOP IATRO Project
The STOP IATRO project is structured around three specific objectives corresponding to three phases aimed at improving the care of elderly people:
- The first objective, planned for 2024, involves taking stock of the knowledge and practices that prevent medication-related iatrogenesis and/or iatrogenesis due to care, whether provided at home or in a hospital setting, for seniors. Project stakeholders plan a transnational survey of various healthcare professionals and a description of the territorial organization of care pathways for elderly patients. This phase will help to better understand the challenges and opportunities for more effective and appropriate care for the needs of elderly people.
- The second objective, scheduled for 2025, aims to provide targeted training to healthcare professionals to help them optimize therapeutic care and prevent iatrogenic dependence in elderly patients. The goal is to ensure a better understanding of the challenges related to elderly care and to improve the quality of the care provided.
- The third objective, planned for 2025-2026, is to test pilot actions within hospital services and outpatient settings and with the elderly themselves. These pilot actions, designed jointly with healthcare professionals, will implement innovative practices to combat iatrogenesis in older people. This final phase aims to sustainably integrate these innovative approaches into routine medical practices.
Innovative Actions for Interprofessional Collaboration
The STOP IATRO project will focus on developing innovative solutions. It will include an in-depth survey to identify the obstacles and opportunities in each territory, as well as local activities to promote collaboration among healthcare professionals. This aspect of interprofessional collaboration is at the heart of the STOP IATRO project. Indeed, cooperation among different profiles ensures the enhancement of complementary skills and enables optimal care for the elderly.
Expected Outcomes
The expected outcomes of the STOP IATRO project are numerous. First, the consortium aims to harmonize recommendations and practices. By the end of the project, three pilot actions are expected to have been carried out in each participating country, both in hospital and outpatient settings, with the involvement of local stakeholders. These pilot actions must have been designed with multi-professional healthcare communities, bringing together professionals from both urban and hospital settings. Finally, it is expected that the tools and solutions tested will be integrated into the projects of beneficiary organizations, creating a lasting impact.
A next co-management meeting between partners will take place on September 26 and 27 in Aveiro and Guarda, Portugal, to discuss the progress of the project and plan the next steps.