Patients' Use of a Standardized Medication List - A Mixed Methods Study

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Patient Safety
• Medication Management

Background:

• A standardized medication list (ML) was legally established in Germany in 2016.
• Data on the practical use and adherence to standardized MLs are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate patients' practical use and understanding of standardized medication lists.
• To assess the completeness and correctness of current ML versions.
• To identify reasons for patients' non-adherence to their ML.

Main Methods:

• Community pharmacists recruited 288 patients (median age 76) with standardized MLs and ≥5 medications.
• Data collection involved brown bag analysis, practical demonstration, patient interviews, and patient file reviews.
• Qualitative and quantitative methods were used for data analysis.

Main Results:

• 38.5% of patients regularly used their ML for medication preparation, and 73.3% used it to inform their physician.
• Over 80% of patients understood the relevant information on their ML.
• No ML was fully correct and complete; 79.2% had errors or omissions in critical details. Handwritten modifications were common.
• Nearly 60% of patients did not adhere to their ML, primarily due to fear of adverse drug reactions.

Conclusions:

• The current standardized medication list (ML) in Germany suffers from poor completeness and correctness, with frequent handwritten modifications.
• A significant proportion of patients do not adhere to their ML, highlighting a gap in medication management.
• Developing strategies for accurate ML maintenance and enhanced patient counseling is crucial for improving medication adherence and safety.