Frail elderly patients in primary care-their medication knowledge and beliefs about prescribed medicines.

Summary, in English

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to describe elderly patients' knowledge about and attitudes towards their medicines in Swedish primary care. METHODS: Thirty-four patients aged 65 years and above with multiple illnesses were included. Medication knowledge was assessed with a questionnaire measuring knowledge about indication and possible adverse effects for each medicine. Attitudes were investigated with the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire. RESULTS: The indication of at least 75% of their medicines was known to 71% of the patients. Patients with polypharmacy and multi-dose drug distribution respectively had significantly less knowledge. Eighty-four percent had no knowledge about possible adverse effects. For 93% of the patients, the benefits of the medication outweighed the costs (concerns). No correlation was found between attitudes and knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge about indication was higher than previously seen, but the knowledge about possible adverse effects was poor. The patients had strong beliefs in the benefits of their medication.

• Författare: Sara Modig; Jimmie Kristensson; Anna Kristensson Ekwall; Ingalill Rahm Hallberg; Patrik Midlöv
• Avdelning/ar: Allmänmedicin och samhällsmedicin; Institutionen för hälsovetenskaper
• Publiceringsår: 2009
• Språk: Engelska
• Sidor: 151-155
• Publikation/Tidskrift/Serie: European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
• Volym: 65
• Länkar: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18958457?dopt=Abstract; http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00228-008-0581-8
• Dokumenttyp: Artikel i tidskrift
• Förlag: Springer
• Ämne: Medicinal Chemistry; Nursing; Pharmacology and Toxicology
• Status: Published
• Forskningsgrupp: Family Medicine and Community Medicine
• ISBN/ISSN/Övrigt: ISSN: 1432-1041