Exploratory study of drug therapy self-management (DTSM) in elderly English- and Cantonese-speaking patients discharged home from a rehabilitation facility.
Published: 2004
Language: eng
Number of pages: 198
Description: Objective. To better understand DTSM by the elderly, including non-English speaking elderly, after discharge from a rehabilitation facility.Conclusion. Elderly rehabilitation-discharged patients are generally confident and effective in DTSM. Language and culture influence medications used, provider selection, and institutional adaptation.Method. Patient chart reviews; home visits employing a structured questionnaire, medication review, and semi-structured interview.Design. A convenience sample, non-experimental, exploratory study.Result. Twenty-one patients (16 English-fluent; 5 Cantonese-fluent) participated. Participants demonstrated: self-determination in advocating for themselves; judgement concerning the legitimacy of prescribed drug therapy; knowledge about their disease and medication; and/or acceptance of DTSM as part of their lifestyle. Most found DTSM activities to be easy, except for monitoring signs/symptoms of disease and drug effects; inadequate/ineffective communication with health care providers was a contributing factor. Mobility, a DTSM activity-related function, was difficult only for some Cantonese-fluent participants because of early discharge precipitated by language problems.
Notes: Adviser:  Joan A. Marshman.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Toronto, 2004.

Electronic version licensed for access by U. of T. users.

Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 42-06, page: 2179.

MICR copy on microfiche (3 microfiches).