AN EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF A TIME-ORIENTED TEACHING CHART ON MEDICATION COMPLIANCE IN HOME CARE PATIENTS.
Contributors: University of Pittsburgh.
Published: 1994
Number of pages: 170
Subjects: Health Sciences, Public Health.; Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: Despite the fact that medication noncompliance is well documented, and a variety of suggestions for change have been put forth, there has been relatively little evaluation done of these methods. This study tests the impact of the use of a tailored, time-oriented Medication Chart on knowledge of the drug regimen, and medication compliance.

Twenty-nine home care nurses were surveyed to determine their usual methods of medication teaching. All reported that medication instruction was a part of their role and that patients are generally receptive to this teaching. More than half noted that patients occasionally have difficulty deciding when to take their medicines. More experienced nurses were more likely to have that perception, and were also more likely to use a teaching method that was both drug and time-oriented.

Nurses surveyed 179 home care patients served by four satellite offices of a home care agency. These patients were divided by site into groups, with the treatment group receiving teaching with the Medication Chart. No significant differences were found between the groups on knowledge or compliance scores. A low, but significant, negative correlation was found between length of time on home care and compliance. A strong positive correlation was found between knowledge and compliance. A sub-test, the Morisky test, was shown to correlate negatively with compliance.

On both the surveys and ten follow-up interviews, patients noted a number of issues as problems for them regarding their medication: cost, forgetfulness, side effects and being tired of taking medication. In addition, patients identified strategies they utilized to cope with these problems.

The level of education of the person giving the medication was related to the successful use of the Medication Chart. Those with the least education had the highest levels of compliance.

While the use of the tailored, time-oriented Medication Chart will not eliminate all problems with noncompliance, many patients found it useful. It enables patients with complicated regimens, who need to organize and simplify their schedules, to implement the suggested medication regime.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 55-05, Section: B, page: 1819.

Thesis (DR.P.H.)--UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH, 1994.

School code: 0178.