During my years of practice, I have encountered patients who are not always familiar with the names or prescribed indications for their medications. It is also not uncommon for patients to overlook mentioning non-prescription products, such as nutritional supplements or alternative medications, to their primary healthcare provider because they perceive them to be insignificant. A lack of knowledge about the importance of providing and maintaining a comprehensive and updated list of all medications can augment the risk of contraindications, drug/ drug interactions, or adverse effects, which could significantly impact their health depending on the patient’s medical and medication history. A lack of patient understanding about proper medication use, including dosage and administration, can also adversely affect clinical outcomes.
Clinicians often must deal with time constraints due to factors like heavy workloads and staff shortages, which can impact the time dedicated to patient counseling. Other factors contributing to the lack of patient awareness about their medications include the complexity of disease(s) and treatment plans, especially those involving multiple medications, language barriers, and limited health literacy. It is critical for clinicians to devise and employ various patientcentered education resources to identify and address these factors.
A poll conducted in 2020 involving 1,000 Americans who were taking prescription medications revealed the following:
❯ 70% of respondents were unaware whether a brand-name or generic medication would be dispensed when filling the prescription.
❯ 41% reported having unanswered questions about the prescription, with primary concerns being medication safety (53%), potential ADRs (61%), and cost (54%).
❯ 76% were not familiar with other available treatment options.
❯ 72% conducted their own research about prescriptions.
A recent publication in Cureus revealed that shared decision-making measures and a personalized approach to patient education, including written handouts, verbal instructions, and patient education by healthcare providers, can improve patient care, adherence, patient satisfaction, and understanding of illnesses and therapies. Another study in the Journal of Patient Experience reported that engaging patients in their care can positively affect self-care and adherence.
Empowering patients with ongoing education about their disease(s) and medication(s) is a valuable tool that can significantly enhance patient outcomes by improving adherence, promoting the safe and proper use of medications, and preventing or minimizing adverse effects. A proactive approach to healthcare is indispensable.
