Misperceptions of patients vs providers regarding medication-related communication issues

To test the hypothesis that there is little concordance in perceptions of medication-related communication between patients and providers, with providers estimating greater frequency of such discussions than patients; and to determine whether discordance is less apparent among patients who received e-prescriptions.

Data are from a convenience sample of 96 providers practicing in 6 states and 1100 of their patients. Twenty-nine practices used e-prescribing, and 3 practices were initiating e-prescribing.

Patients' and providers' perceptions regarding discussions with their providers or patients regarding medication costs, adherence, and potential adverse effects were collected by survey.

Relative to patients, providers estimated more frequent discussions of medication issues with patients. Most patients (83%) reported that they would never tell their physician if they did not plan on picking up a prescription. Patients receiving electronic prescriptions were more likely than patients with paper prescriptions (54% vs 43%) to report that their provider always checks the accuracy of their medication list.

Although e-prescribing may not change the extent to which patients and physicians discuss medication issues, patients of e-prescribing providers more frequently report provider verification of medication lists.