title: Medication education for patients with epilepsy in Taiwan.
abstract: The aim of this study is to evaluate the medication knowledge achieved by conventional verbal education and the influence of drug information leaflets in patients with epilepsy. Drug compliance and sources of information of the patients were also examined. Fifty-one adults in an epilepsy outpatient clinic participated this survey. These patients were asked to complete a questionnaire and to specify sources of drug information. Serum drug levels were checked and compared with the self-reported compliance. Then, drug information leaflets were given to patients. In the next follow-up visit, patients were asked to fill out the same questionnaire again. In the baseline assessment, 36 patients (70.6%) could accurately list their medications. However, half of patients were not knowledgeable about side effects and did not keep a seizure diary. After provision of drug leaflets, the epilepsy medication assessment score increased from 3.9 +/- 1.9 to 5.1 +/- 1.7 (P<0.001). In addition, patients reported being compliant most of the time and this matched drug levels. On average, each patient had 2.8 sources of information and 5 patients used Internet as a tool. Despite achieving good compliance, conventional verbal education did not sufficiently cover drug-related issues. Providing patients with written information apparently increase their medication knowledge and probably enhance seizure control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital and School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11217, Taiwan, ROC. ltliu@vghtpe.gov.tw
authors.forename: Lillian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Chun-Hing
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Yiu
authors.forename: Der-Jen
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Yen
authors.forename: Mei-Huei
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.forename: Ming-Fang
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004346:Drug Information Services; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010174:Pamphlets; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants