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Published on: August 1, 2019
Improving effectiveness in communicating risk to patients
Jill S Burkiewicz1, Kimi S Vesta, Anne L Hume
1Department of Pharmacy Practice, Midwstern University, Chicago College of Pharmacy, Illinois, USA.
Summary
Pharmacists can improve how they communicate medication risks and benefits to older patients and caregivers. Using systematic approaches and visual aids enhances patient understanding and involvement in healthcare decisions.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Patient Communication
- Geriatric Medicine
Background:
- Communicating clinical trial evidence on medication risks and benefits to patients presents challenges.
- Older adults face unique communication barriers, including perceptions of patient involvement and uncertainty regarding drug benefit-to-risk ratios due to potential adverse events and multiple comorbidities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review communication approaches and tools for pharmacists to effectively convey risk evidence to older patients and their caregivers.
- To enhance patient understanding and involvement in healthcare decisions regarding medications.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of MEDLINE and internet search engines using keywords such as 'evidence-based medicine,' 'patient,' and 'risk communication.'
- Inclusion of relevant English-language publications, with a specific focus on studies involving older adults.
- Utilized PubMed's 'related articles' feature and citation reviews to identify additional relevant articles.
Main Results:
- Effective communication requires a structured approach to presenting risks and benefits, moving from general estimates to patient-specific numbers.
- Visual aids, such as risk ladders and perspective scales, can significantly improve patient comprehension.
- Tailoring communication to individual patient values and beliefs is crucial for shared decision-making.
Conclusions:
- Clinicians should adopt systematic methods for presenting medication risks and benefits to older patients.
- Reinforcing comprehension with visual aids is essential for ensuring patients understand medication risks and benefits.
- These strategies empower patients to actively participate in their healthcare decisions.
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