“I have nine specialists. They need to swap notes!” Australian patients’ perspectives of medication‐related problems following discharge from hospital

Bibliographic Data

ID19506982
AuthorsDaniela Eassey (0000-0002-9164-9205, Faculty of Pharmacy Camperdown The University of Sydney Sydney NSW Australia, corresponding author), Andrew J McLachlan (0000-0003-4674-0242, Faculty of Pharmacy Camperdown The University of Sydney Sydney NSW Australia), Jo‐anne E Brien (The University of Sydney), Jo‐anne Brien (Faculty of Pharmacy Camperdown The University of Sydney Sydney NSW Australia), Ines Kra (0000-0002-0466-9807, Faculty of Pharmacy Camperdown The University of Sydney Sydney NSW Australia), Ines Krass, Lorraine Smith (0000-0002-3499-1514, Faculty of Pharmacy Camperdown The University of Sydney Sydney NSW Australia)
Year2017
Volume20
Issue5
Pages1114-1120
Publication date2017-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Expectations (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1369-6513 • E-ISSN: 1369-7625
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/hex.12556
PMID28306185
OpenAlexW2596065972
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited28

BACKGROUND: Research has shown that patients are most susceptible to medication-related problems (MRPs) when transitioning from hospital to home. Currently, the literature in this area focuses on interventions, which are mainly orientated around the perspective of the health-care professional and do not take into account patient perspectives and experiences. OBJECTIVE: To capture the experiences and perceptions of Australian patients regarding MRPs following discharge from hospital. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire collecting quantitative and qualitative data. Thematic analysis was conducted of the qualitative data. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Survey participants were recruited through The Digital Edge, an online market research company. Five hundred and six participants completed the survey. RESULTS: A total of 174 participants self-reported MRPs. Two concepts and seven subthemes emerged from the analysis. The first concept was types of MRPs and patient experiences. Three themes were identified: unwanted effects from medicines, confusion about medicines and unrecognized medicines. The second concept was patient engagement in medication management, of which four themes emerged: informing patients, patient engagement, communication amongst health-care professionals and conflicting advice. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study provides an important insight into patients' experiences and perceptions of MRPs following discharge from hospital. Future direction for practice and research should look into implementing patient-centred care at the time of hospital discharge to ensure the provision of clear and consistent information, and developing ways to support and empower patients to ensure a smooth transition post-discharge from hospital

Confusion · Family medicine · Health care · Hospital discharge · Patient experience · Perception · Psychological intervention · Qualitative property · Qualitative research · Sociology · Thematic analysis · Heart Failure Treatment and Management · Medication Adherence and Compliance · Medicine · Nursing · Pharmaceutical Practices and Patient Outcomes · Psychology

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