Best possible medication history interview guide: a rapid scoping review

Background Adverse drug events are a significant cause of morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. The Best Possible Medication History (BPMH) is a systematic compilation of a patient’s medications derived using at least two sources of information including a patient interview. We sought to update the BPMH interview guide developed by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) Canada to reflect the evolving healthcare landscape. Objectives We conducted a rapid scoping review to develop questions and a standardised procedure for completing a BPMH, and to understand patient, caregiver, and healthcare professional preferences or perceptions regarding the BPMH interview. Methods We searched Medline, the Joanna Briggs Institute Evidence-Based Practice Database, the Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews database, and grey literature. We included peer-reviewed quantitative literature (randomised/non-randomised controlled trials, observational studies), qualitative studies, systematic reviews, and grey literature (including guidelines, quality improvement initiatives, patient experiences, health technology assessments). Following pilot testing to ensure inter-rater reliability, articles were screened and data extracted in duplicate using the Covidence platform. INPLASY registration protocol INPLASY2024110033. Results Our search identified 5424 records, and after removing duplicates and screening, we extracted data from 95 articles. Identified studies provided additional questions and procedural steps for assessing adherence, use of non-prescription medications and substances (eg, alcohol, smoking, cannabis, recreational use), and integration of virtual care into the BPMH guide. Perceived facilitators and barriers to conducting a BPMH included clinical leadership support for trained healthcare professionals to perform a BPMH, virtual care, access to technology, and intact hearing for patients or interviewed caregivers. Conclusions This review identified additional questions and approaches for updating the ISMP Canada BPMH interview guide. Additional feedback from users of the existing interview guide, and patients and caregivers who have participated in a BPMH interview should be integrated through codesign into the new updated ISMP Canada BPMH guide. Trial registration number INPLASY2024110033