[Patients Ability to Provide Information about Prescribed Drugs - a Cross-Sectional Study in Ten General Practice]

For the correct intake and safe handling of their own medication it is important that patients know about their own medication and can give certain information. This study examines what information patients can provide about their prescribed medication and which factors influence the ability to provide information.

A cross-sectional study was conducted. In 10 General Practice, 637 patients (participation rate 57 %) were asked about the name, dosage, frequency of intake and indication of their prescribed medication. The patient information were compared with the practice documentation.

Patient data on the number of medications were 54 % consistent with the practice documentation. There is a relevant discrepancy between the documented drug prescription and the information provided by patients. The patients were best able to provide information about the names (75 %) of their medications and worst about the indication (47 %). The ability to provide information decreased in patients with ≥ 5 medications. An association between higher education and correct information was found. 65 % of the participants had a medication plan and 19 % used the plan to answer the questions. The possession of a medication plan showed no effect. However the use of a medication plan had an effect, which was even stronger in patients with ≥ 5 medications.

Most patients did not use the medication plan, which is why the issue of a medication plan does not lead to better information. Technical solutions, such as centralized data storage, should be developed, which can guarantee the security of supply and drug therapy and the exchange between different physicians and institutions, regardless of an incomplete and often non-existent paper or electronic health card medication plan.