Compliance devices preferred by elderly patients.
Many elderly patients take several medications for chronic conditions, a situation which causes problems in compliance with drug regimens. This study surveyed patients' preferences among four devices designed to make compliance easier: rub-off reminder labels, medication organizer trays, a container cap with a modified alarm clock, and a digital elapsed timer. Thirty-one enrolled patients used each device for one month then reported their ratings of four device attributes--clarity of directions for use, ease of use, convenience, and effectiveness in preventing dosing errors. The patients showed a strong preference for the medication organizer tray and generally preferred less-complex devices to those that were more difficult to learn to use.
Mackowiak
E D
ED
Temple University School of Pharmacy, Philadelphia, Pa.
O'Connor
T W
TW
Thomason
M
M
Nighswander
R
R
Smith
M
M
Vogenberg
A
A
Weissberger
F
F
Wilkes
W
W
D000368:Aged; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance