Medication management reviews for people from the former Yugoslavia now resident in Australia.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this prospective study was to conduct medication management reviews (MMR) in people from a non-English speaking background (NESB) (Bosnian/Serbian/Croatian, from former Yugoslavia, currently residing in Australia) in their native language in order to identify medication-related problems (needs analysis) and implement appropriate therapeutic interventions, in collaboration with their general practitioners (GPs).


METHODS
Twenty-five participants entered the study. Each was interviewed and medication-related issues were identified by the health care team.


RESULTS
Various interventions (over 150 for the whole group, an average of 6 per participant), based on actual and potential medication-related problems, were designed to improve the use of medicines. The MMRs introduced effective changes into the participants' health care. Psychological (e.g., feeling depressed) and sociological factors (e.g., costs of medicines, not understanding labels written in English) were identified as having significant impacts on medication management.


CONCLUSIONS
These data confirmed there are avoidable medication-related problems in people from a NESB. GPs and pharmacists working in health care teams with a trained interpreter could greatly improve medication use through regular review and a team approach to problem identification and solving.
Fejzic
Jasmina Bajramovic
JB
School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
Tett
Susan E
SE
D001315:Australia / Q000208:ethnology; D017522:Bosnia and Herzegovina / Q000208:ethnology; D003144:Communication Barriers; D017523:Croatia / Q000208:ethnology; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017723:Drug Utilization Review / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010595:Pharmacists; D015022:Yugoslavia / Q000208:ethnology