Inpatients' satisfaction towards information received about medicines

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Patient Education
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Healthcare providers (HCPs) often overestimate the quality and quantity of information given to patients.
• Effective patient education on medications is crucial for adherence and outcomes.
• Inpatient settings present unique challenges for medication information delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess inpatient satisfaction with medication information received during their hospital stay.
• To identify specific areas of medication information where patient satisfaction is lacking.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted at two hospitals.
• The Satisfaction with Information about Medicines Scale (SIMS), a 17-item questionnaire, was used.
• Data were collected from 71 patients in June 2017.

Main Results:

• Overall satisfaction with information on medicine 'action and usage' was 74.4%, versus 56% for 'potential problems'.
• Patients aged 45-64 were more satisfied with information on 'how medicines work' compared to other age groups (p=0.045).
• Lower educational attainment correlated with higher satisfaction regarding 'how medicines work' (p=0.002), while certain ethnic groups showed varied satisfaction with information on side effects and sexual impact.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare providers need to enhance the delivery of information regarding potential medication problems.
• Patient demographics, including age, educational level, and ethnicity, significantly influence satisfaction with medication information.
• Tailoring medication communication strategies is essential for improving patient comprehension and satisfaction.