CitationElson R, Cook H and Blenkinsopp A (2017) Patients' knowledge of new medicines after discharge from hospital: What are the effects of hospital-based discharge counseling and communitybased medicines use reviews (MURs) medicines use after discharge from hospital. However little research has studied how this resource might be targeted.?In this study, patients were surveyed after discharge from hospital to determine their knowledge and understanding of newly-prescribed medication. Patients received either usual care (nurse counselling at discharge) or pharmacist counselling.The patients who received pharmacist counselling knew more about their new medicines.The study findings could help to more effectively target hospital pharmacist resource.Community pharmacist input was under-utilised and the study provides insights into the reasons for this.
Abstract AimTo determine the effects of targeted hospital pharmacist counselling on discharge or targeted community pharmacy medicines reviews post-discharge on patients' knowledge of newly started medication.
MethodControlled trial of targeted medicines discharge counselling provided by hospital pharmacists or follow-up post-discharge medicines review provided by community pharmacists compared with usual care (nurse counselling). Outcomes measured using a structured telephone survey conducted at two and four weeks after patients were discharged from hospital.
ResultsPatients who received hospital pharmacist counselling were significantly more likely to report being told the purpose of their new medicine and how to take it than those receiving usual care. Fewer than half of the patients who were allocated to receive a community pharmacy medicines review did receive one.
ConclusionThe study results indicate that patient knowledge of medicines newly prescribed in hospital is increased by targeted counselling by hospital pharmacists. The findings also suggest the need to improve the consistency of the information covered when providing counselling, perhaps by the implementation of a counselling checklist for use by all disciplines of staff involved in patient counselling. The potential of community pharmacy follow-up medicines reviews is currently undermined by several barriers to uptake.
Background: Interprofessional Education (IPE) is a requirement of healthcare professional undergraduate courses and there is an existing body of literature within this area (Hammick, et al, 2007). In preparation for clinical practice, pharmacy students also need to understand specific roles within the pharmacy team. Whilst intraprofessional learning may be of value in this context (Schafheutle et al, 2013), there remains a gap in the literature in this area.
Provides notes on the discussion on teaching of psychology which followed the presentation of the report. In the discussion, all who took part were in approval of the report.
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