A systematic approach to educating elderly patients about their medications

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a pharmacist-initiated, total package, patient education program based on the concepts described in the PRECEDE model. This program was directed towards 94 therapeutically complex elderly patients and consisted of a medication history, therapeutic evaluation, patient education needs assessment, patient education session, and a patient feedback/ satisfaction telephone interview. Pharmacists identified on average 5.6 medication-related problems and provided an average of 6.2 recommendations. Problems commonly identified involved inadequate drug knowledge (25.5%), noncompliance (22.7%), and inappropriate drug use (17.4%). Typical recommendations included altering drug use (35.9%), improving compliance behavior (18.1%), and improving communication with health professionals (18.1%). Patient satisfaction with the education session was overwhelmingly positive. Based on the findings of this study, it is apparent that a patient education program based on the PRECEDE model can be used successfully by pharmacists to prepare education plans that would benefit the therapeutically complex elderly patient.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/30215/1/0000606.pd

Design and Results of a Group Counter-detailing DUR Educational Program

Purpose . The study objectives were to (1) design, (2) implement and (3) evaluate a multi-step educational program as an integral component of a Healthcare system's activities to improve medication use quality and control drug costs. Design and implementation of the educational program were based upon established principles of changing prescriber behavior. Two classes of oral medications, antihistamines and antibiotics, were targeted.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/41448/1/11095_2004_Article_306740.pd