DrMouna Sawan

I have utilised a unique combination of clinical and research expertise in pharmaco-epidemiological analyses, qualitative research, and co-design. I am leading a national program of work that aims to the co-design medication management resources for people with dementia and their carers across care settings. I am co-ordinating a 22-member consortium partnership with people with dementia, carers, health care professionals, national consumer organisations (e.g. Dementia Australia, Health Consumers NSW, Dementia Australia), and relevant industries (e.g. HammondCare). Additionally, I have developed a novel discharge tool to evaluate the quality of medication management guidance at hospital discharge which has been disseminated as a cross-sectional survey across Australia.

My research describes the use of high-risk medications (e.g. antipsychotics and benzodiazepines medications) in older people, including those with dementia, in aged care homes.The ongoing use of high-risk medications in older people is influenced by contextual factors, such as the organisational culture of aged care homes. I have developed a tool which will be used to evaluate aged care home organisational culture to inform tailored multi-disciplinary interventions to improve the quality use of medicines.