title: Self-medication for elderly patients.
abstract: This paper describes the introduction of a self-medication programme for elderly in-patients using action research. The programme was initiated by a steering group which met regularly to implement and monitor self-medication. Ward staff were interviewed to assess their learning needs before the start, meetings were held as the project advanced, and a final staff evaluation questionnaire was administered. Patients' opinions were also monitored. Self-medication was successfully introduced and minor problems were rapidly solved by participating staff. Patients were highly satisfied with the new independence and self-esteem they had gained through taking their own medications. Nurses shared these feelings, but also felt that self-medication was more time consuming than previous drug rounds. Suggestions for further research and development are given.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Webb
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Addison
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Holman
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Saklaki
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wagner
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000379:methods*; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012651:Self Medication / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D012654:Self-Care Units