Measuring patients' self-efficacy in understanding and using prescription medication.
OBJECTIVE
To create a brief assessment tool, the Medication Understanding and Use Self-Efficacy Scale (MUSE).


METHODS
An existing scale (Communication and Attitudinal Self-Efficacy Scale) was modified, augmented, and piloted among 267 primary care patients in Chicago, New York City, and Shreveport, LA. Participant sociodemographics, literacy, current medication use, understanding medication instructions, and medication self-efficacy were measured.


RESULTS
Using principal components analysis, two scales emerged: taking medication and learning about medication; these two factors accounted for 55% of the total variance of understanding medication instructions. Performance on the MUSE differed by literacy level; multivariate analysis detected no interaction between literacy level and MUSE score. Regression analysis, adjusted for age, education, literacy level and number of current prescription medications indicated that participants' MUSE scores predicted patient understanding of common medication instructions (beta=0.07, 95% CI 0.001-0.14, p=0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
The MUSE is a valid and reliable tool measuring self-efficacy of understanding and using prescription medication. This scale differs from existing medication-specific self-efficacy scales as it addresses both learning about one's medications and adherence to the prescribed regimen.


CONCLUSIONS
The MUSE is an effective and brief research tool that can be utilized among participants with varying literacy levels.
Cameron
Kenzie A
KA
Division of General Internal Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. k-cameron@northwestern.edu
Ross
Emily L
EL
Clayman
Marla L
ML
Bergeron
Ashley R
AR
Federman
Alex D
AD
Bailey
Stacy Cooper
SC
Davis
Terry C
TC
Wolf
Michael S
MS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002641:Chicago; D032882:Comprehension; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004348:Drug Labeling; D004522:Educational Status; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008145:Louisiana; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009519:New York City; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010865:Pilot Projects; D055553:Prescription Drugs; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D055815:Young Adult; D016903:Drug Monitoring
D055553:Prescription Drugs