title: The practice of prescribing: discovering differences in what we tell patients about prescription medications.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study explored patient recall of clinician presentation of information about prescription medication, looking specifically for communication patterns and differences by patient individual characteristics and by medication availability type.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross sectional survey collected information about 216 patients' perceptions of clinician presentations of medication information.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Demographically, males recalled receiving more information about reasons, risks, and regimen in medication discussions. By medication type, patients reported receiving more medication information when the clinician presented a prescription-only medication as opposed to a medication that was also available over the counter.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the broad and unmonitored use of over-the-counter products, coupled with the increasing awareness of risks associated with many of these medications, it is concerning that patients report receiving less information about these products.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The emphasis on appropriate medication counseling should not be limited to medications available only by prescription. Prescribers should be mindful of these potential tendencies when discussing medications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Informatics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, USA. Electronic address: Christian.ledford@usuhs.edu.
authors.forename: Christy J W
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Ledford
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, Fort Belvoir, USA.
authors.forename: Marc A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Childress
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, Fort Belvoir, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Ledford
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, Fort Belvoir, USA.
authors.forename: Heather D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Mundy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003142:Communication; D003376:Counseling; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D063868:Patient Outcome Assessment; D010465:Perception; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055553:Prescription Drugs; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D055553:Prescription Drugs
keywords: Patient-provider; Prescription medication; Survey methodology