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Informational needs and recall of in-hospital medication changes of recently discharged patients

Authors :
Fatma Karapinar-Çarkit
Liesbeth Eibergen
Marjo J. A. Janssen
Lyda Blom
Source :
Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy. 14:146-152
Publication Year :
2018
Publisher :
Elsevier BV, 2018.

Abstract

Purpose The need for information for patients and caregivers at the point of hospital discharge is paramount and potentially extensive. Objective The objective of this study was to assess patients' informational needs at hospital discharge, patients' recall of medication changes implemented in the hospital and patients' medication related problems experienced one week after hospital discharge. Methods The study was conducted in a teaching hospital where patients received structured discharge counseling. Patients were interviewed at hospital discharge regarding their informational needs. One week post-discharge, patients were interviewed by phone to assess any changes in informational needs, their recall regarding in-hospital medication changes and the medication related problems. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression were used to address study objectives. Results The 124 patients in the study regarded the following topics as most relevant for counseling: what the medicine is for (57%), side effects (52%), drug-drug interactions (45%), action of the drug (37%) and reimbursement (31%). In 9% of patients the informational needs changed post-discharge, e.g. the topic side effects increased in importance. Forty-nine percent could recall whether and which medication was changed during hospitalization. Medication-related problems and side effects were reported by respectively 27% and 15% of patients, whereas only 7% contacted their doctor or pharmacist. Conclusions Patients' informational needs are very individual and can change post-discharge. Despite structured counseling, only half of the patients were able to recall the medication changes implemented in the hospital. Furthermore, patients reported several problems for which they did not consult a healthcare provider. This insight could help in smoothing the transition from hospital to the primary care setting.

Details

ISSN :
15517411
Volume :
14
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....1987f5a83e32099a4172a6f3c0c28a5f
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2017.01.006