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Ingalill Rahm Hallberg

Ingalill Rahm Hallberg

Professor emerita

Ingalill Rahm Hallberg

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

Author

  • Sara Modig
  • Jimmie Kristensson
  • Anna Kristensson Ekwall
  • Ingalill Rahm Hallberg
  • Patrik Midlöv

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.

Department/s

  • Family Medicine and Community Medicine
  • Department of Health Sciences

Publishing year

2009

Language

English

Pages

151-155

Publication/Series

European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology

Volume

65

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Springer

Topic

  • Medicinal Chemistry
  • Nursing
  • Pharmacology and Toxicology

Status

Published

Research group

  • Family Medicine and Community Medicine

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1432-1041