title: The effects of medication education on adherence to medication regimens in an elderly population.
abstract: The purpose of this intervention study was to evaluate educational protocols to see which would be more effective in increasing medication compliance rates within an elderly population. Forty-two patients were randomized into four groups. Group 1 received a standard education protocol; group 2 received the standard education and 30 minutes of verbal instruction; group 3 received the standard education and a medication schedule; and group 4 received the standard education, a medication schedule, and 30 minutes of verbal instruction. The intervention was given on the day of hospital discharge. Home visits were made 2 weeks, 1 and 2 months post-hospital discharge. Results of the visits revealed that groups 1 and 2 had higher rates of errors with medications than groups 3 and 4. In conclusion, the groups with a medication schedule had higher compliance rates. Considering the sample size of 42, this study can act as a pilot study to justify further research in the effects of a medication schedule on compliance.
authors.affiliation: New Jersey Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Resource Center, St Peter's Medical Centre, New Brunswick, USA.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Esposito
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D012646:Self Administration / Q000451:nursing* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data