A systematic approach to educating elderly patients about their medications.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate a pharmacist-initiated, total package, patient education program based on the concepts described in the PRECEDE model. This program was directed towards 94 therapeutically complex elderly patients and consisted of a medication history, therapeutic evaluation, patient education needs assessment, patient education session, and a patient feedback/satisfaction telephone interview. Pharmacists identified on average 5.6 medication-related problems and provided an average of 6.2 recommendations. Problems commonly identified involved inadequate drug knowledge (25.5%), noncompliance (22.7%), and inappropriate drug use (17.4%). Typical recommendations included altering drug use (35.9%), improving compliance behavior (18.1%), and improving communication with health professionals (18.1%). Patient satisfaction with the education session was overwhelmingly positive. Based on the findings of this study, it is apparent that a patient education program based on the PRECEDE model can be used successfully by pharmacists to prepare education plans that would benefit the therapeutically complex elderly patient.
Opdycke
R A
RA
Ascione
F J
FJ
Shimp
L A
LA
Rosen
R I
RI
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004358:Drug Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010595:Pharmacists; D012646:Self Administration