Ingalill Rahm Hallberg
Professor emerita
Frail elderly patients in primary care-their medication knowledge and beliefs about prescribed medicines.
Author
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
Links
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