Providing medicines information and education to hospital in-patients: patients’ experiences and preferences

Cooper, Joyce M.;Garrett, Tim

Abstract

Background: Providing medicines information and counselling to hospital in-patients is one of the many daily tasks of hospital pharmacists; however, there is a lack of evidence relating to the expectations of patients around medicines information and education in the hospital setting. Aim: To evaluate patients’ experiences and expectations relating to the provision of medicines information and education during their hospital admission. Method: A questionnaire was issued to hospital patients at discharge to elicit responses relating to information and education received about medications during their hospital stay. Results: A total of 1335 questionnaires were issued during the study period, with 292 returned (response rate 22%). Forty-five per cent of respondents indicated that a doctor was the best person to inform them about their medications while in hospital, 33% indicated a hospital pharmacist and 22% indicated a nurse. Over one-third of patients (37%) indicated that they would have liked more time to talk about their medications either in hospital or following discharge. Of these, 39% preferred to speak to their general practitioner (GP) after discharge, 21% preferred a hospital doctor,19% preferred a hospital pharmacist, 14% preferred a community pharmacist and 7% preferred a nurse. Conclusion: Patients discharged from hospital would like more time to discuss medication-related issues. Doctors, pharmacists and nurses in hospital and community settings have a role in providing information and education about medications.

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Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research

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2055-2335

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Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia

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DOI

10.1002/jppr.1035