title: An examination of adherence strategies and challenges in poison control communication.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The principal objective of this study was to characterize how nurses and pharmacists at a poison control center (PCC) determine the likelihood of caller adherence to a health care facility referral.
  
  
  METHODS
  A focus group was conducted with 6 nurses and 4 pharmacists from a regional PCC. Content analysis was used to determine themes within the discussion. All participants were certified as specialists in poison information (SPIs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four themes were identified: (1) SPIs' generation of informal "likelihood-of-adherence" assessments as to whether a caller will follow the recommendation to go to a health care facility, (2) SPI communication strategies used to promote adherence, (3) behavior of SPIs during periods of high call volume, and (4) communication training for PCC staff members.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study provides insights in SPIs' current assessment and communication, particularly those related to promoting caller adherence to recommendations.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Utah, 10 S 2000 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA. lee.ellington@nurs.utah.edu
authors.forename: Lee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ellington
authors.forename: Lisa Kennedy
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Sheldon
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matwin
authors.forename: Jackie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Mollie Merkley
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Poynton
authors.forename: Barbara Insley
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Crouch
authors.forename: E Martin
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Caravati
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011041:Poisoning / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013689:Telephone