title: Self-administered cardiac medication program evaluation.
abstract: For patients to manage their medication regimens at home, adequate preparation is required prior to hospital discharge. Self-administered medication programs are a strategy for improving medication knowledge and regimen adherence. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a self-administered cardiac medication program on patients knowledge of and adherence to their medication regimen. Patient and nurse satisfaction with the self-administered medication program were assessed. A comparison group, repeated measures design was used in which patients received nurse-administered medications (n = 172) or self-administered medications (n = 178). Data were collected at admission, discharge, and 2, 6, and 16 weeks post-discharge. Outcome variables were medication knowledge, medication adherence, and program satisfaction. Patients in the self-administered medication group had significantly higher medication knowledge scores over time compared to those in the nurse-administered medication group. There was no statistically significant difference between groups on medication adherence. The self-administered medication group reported significantly higher levels of satisfaction and had significantly fewer medication errors and medication-related problems compared to the nurse-administered medication group.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, 3rd Floor, Clinical Sciences Building, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G3. louise.jensen@ualberta.ca
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jensen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004521:Educational Measurement; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012646:Self Administration / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D012654:Self-Care Units