Article
Independent patient information service
Unabhängige Arzneimittelberatung für Patienten
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Published: | November 25, 2013 |
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Outline
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Background: Many patients are insufficiently informed about their own drug therapy. While most health care professionals don’t have enough time to answer questions sufficiently, the information found on the internet and in health magazines is often unreliable and driven by dubious interests. To meet the need for independent information, the Institute of Clinical Pharmacology at the Technical University of Dresden runs a drug information service for patients since 2001. The information service can be addressed with any question relating to drugs and provides independent and evidence-based information. Questions on legal issues will be answered, too.
Materials and Methods: All enquiries from patients were registered in a standardized questionnaire. Socio-demographic characteristics of the patients who used the service, number and kind of drugs taken, existing diseases as well as reasons for enquiry were recorded. All enquiries were documented anonymously in a rational database and analyzed in a descriptive data analysis.
Results: From January 2007 till June 2013, the patient information service received a total of 16599 enquiries. The patient group most frequently using the service were female (61%) and between 60 and 80 years (47%). Most patients used drugs for the cardiovascular or nervous system. Most questions asked were related to drugs and specific therapies. Common reasons for contacting the service were questions on adverse drug reactions (6615 enquiries) or to have the medication checked for interactions (3816 enquiries).
Conclusion: The patient information service can provide patients with detailed information on their medication, possible interactions and side effects. Providing independent answers to patients question can strengthen patient sovereignty. Medication-related problems based on inadequate knowledge can be reduced resulting in a more effective treatment.