Patient needs and preferences for herb-drug-disease interaction alerts: a structured interview study

Area of Science:

• Integrative Medicine
• Patient Safety
• Health Communication

Background:

• Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widely used, yet patient-provider communication regarding its use is inconsistent.
• Hazardous interactions between CAM therapies and prescription drugs are a significant concern.
• Patients often do not inform healthcare providers about their CAM usage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore patient information needs and preferences for herb-drug-disease interaction alerts.
• To understand how to best deliver timely and integrative communication support regarding CAM use.

Main Methods:

• A structured interview study was conducted with 50 participants at the University of Utah Hospital.
• Qualitative methods were employed to analyze patient preferences for interaction alerts.
• Participants provided input on desired formats and delivery methods for alerts.

Main Results:

• A majority of participants reported current or past use of CAM therapies.
• Most respondents expressed interest in receiving alerts about potential herb-drug-disease interactions.
• Patients preferred receiving alerts through various channels, including in-person and electronic methods.

Conclusions:

• There is a clear demand for healthcare interventions that support integrative communication about CAM.
• Delivering herb-drug-disease interaction alerts through multiple channels can address critical patient information needs.
• Improving communication about CAM use is essential for enhancing patient safety and integrated care.