What do patients know about their digitalis? A comparison between two different areas in Sweden

Out of 1183 unselected out-patients in Skellefteå and 620 in Uppsala, 200 patients from each place were selected at random to be sent a questionnaire on their medication with digitalis. Answers to the questionnaires were obtained from 196 patients (98 per cent) in Skellefteå and from 163 patients in Uppsala (82 per cent). About 85 per cent stated that they took their digoxin as prescribed once a day. About 60 per cent knew correctly why digoxin treatment was given and 20 per cent were uncertain as to why they took digoxin. About 45 per cent stated that they felt improved thanks to the digoxin therapy. 55 per cent did not know about digitalis side-effects. About 50 per cent denied having received any information about digitalis and 50 per cent were unsatisfied with the information they had been given. Only 15 per cent were content with the information. Methods for improving the information to patients are proposed.