title: Exploring caregiver understanding of medications immediately after a pediatric primary care visit.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Assess accuracy of caregiver understanding of children's prescribed medications and examine factors associated with accurate recall.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional, observational study of English- or Spanish-speaking caregivers of primary care patients aged 0-7 years. Child and visit characteristics and caregiver health literacy (short test of health literacy in adults) were assessed. Post-visit, caregivers completed questionnaires on medications prescribed. Caregiver and medical record agreement on medication name and administration (dose and frequency) were examined using chi square and logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analyses included 68 caregivers (28% low health literacy); 96% of children had public insurance. Caregivers indicated that the doctor provided clear medication information (100%) and they could follow instructions (98%). 101 medicines were prescribed; 6 were recalled by caregiver only. 71% of medications were accurately named; 37% of administration instructions were accurately recalled. Accurate naming was more often found for patients 3-7 years, without conditions requiring repeat visits, and new medications. Accurate administration responses were associated with having only 1 child at the visit.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Unperceived medication instruction understanding gaps exist at physician visits for caregivers of all literacy levels. Communication and care delivery practices need further evaluation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinicians should be aware of the frequency of caregiver medication misunderstanding.
authors: Pediatrics, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago 60611-2605, USA. bbayldon@luriechildrens.org
authors: Barbara W
authors: BW
authors: Bayldon
authors: Mariana
authors: M
authors: Glusman
authors: Nicole M
authors: NM
authors: Fortuna
authors: Adolfo J
authors: AJ
authors: Ariza
authors: Helen J
authors: HJ
authors: Binns
mesh_terms: D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D057220:Health Literacy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010372:Pediatrics; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D011320:Primary Health Care
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations