Parental perceptions of information about medication prescribed for their children.
OBJECTIVE
The study aimed to examine parents' perceptions of the information provided to them on prescribed medication; how it might be improved and; parental level of knowledge of medication administration.


METHODS
245 parents completed a questionnaire at a preschool health day. The questionnaire covered parental opinion on whether the doctor provided enough information about illness and medication, recall of pharmacist's instructions on medication, parental general knowledge of medication and what parents wanted to know about medication for their children.


RESULTS
The findings indicated there was an overall lack of information from the doctor on side effects and what to do if problems occurred with medication. Furthermore, half (49%) of the parents did not recall receiving any information from the pharmacist. Parents appeared to understand the basics of medication administration.


CONCLUSIONS
It is suggested that improvements should be made regarding the information given to parents on prescribed medication. This may improve satisfaction with the service received from health professionals, such as doctors and pharmacists, and increase patient compliance with treatment regimes.
Counsell
A M
AM
Research and Education Unit, Royal New Zealand Plunket Society, Dunedin.
Geddis
D C
DC
Smith
A R
AR
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D004522:Educational Status; D005006:Ethnicity; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010595:Pharmacists; D010820:Physicians; D011368:Professional-Family Relations
D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations