Providing medicines information and education to hospital in-patients: patients’ experiences and preferences

Abstract

Background Providing medicines information and counselling to hospital in-patients is one of the many daily tasks of hospital pharmacists; however, there is a lack of evidence relating to the expectations of patients around medicines information and education in the hospital setting. Aim To evaluate patients’ experiences and expectations relating to the provision of medicines information and education during their hospital admission. Method A questionnaire was issued to hospital patients at discharge to elicit responses relating to information and education received about medications during their hospital stay. Results A total of 1335 questionnaires were issued during the study period, with 292 returned (response rate 22%). Forty-five per cent of respondents indicated that a doctor was the best person to inform them about their medications while in hospital, 33% indicated a hospital pharmacist and 22% indicated a nurse. Over one-third of patients (37%) indicated that they would have liked more time to talk about their medications either in hospital or following discharge. Of these, 39% preferred to speak to their general practitioner (GP) after discharge, 21% preferred a hospital doctor, 19% preferred a hospital pharmacist, 14% preferred a community pharmacist and 7% preferred a nurse. Conclusion Patients discharged from hospital would like more time to discuss medication-related issues. Doctors, pharmacists and nurses in hospital and community settings have a role in providing information and education about medications.