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Background EULAR recommends that people with inflammatory arthritis should have access to and be offered patient education throughout the course of their disease (1). The content and delivery of patient education should be individually tailored (2). Patients should be educated on their medication and know its purpose, mode of action, possible side effects and monitoring guidelines (3). Improving patients’ ability to make informed choices and to use medication effectively and safely should result in significant benefits for the health service and improve patient well-being (4). Our institute’s yearly Consumer Quality Index (CQI) revealed that our current medication education needs improvement. Objectives To improve medication education from the patient perspective. Methods A representative cross-sectional sample of 100 rheumatoid arthritis patients was invited to complete a specially designed questionnaire, based on the Satisfaction with Information about Medicines Scale (SIMS) questionnaire (5). All caregivers at our Rheumatology unit (rheumatologists, trainees, rheumatology nurses) participated in single-blinded structured observational sessions of their regular patient consultation with the patient’s consent. Data was collected on the type and content of medication information that was given during the consultation. Local ethical approval was obtained and patient confidentiality was assured. Results At present 40 (40%) patients returned the questionnaire. Overall, patients are satisfied with the medication education provided (average overall satisfaction score of 7.4 (0-10). However patients experienced insufficient education on the following topics; - whether the medication has influence on sex life - the risk of having side effects - how to act when side effects occur - possible interaction with concomitant medication - whether the medication can cause drowsiness Between December 2018 and January 2019 caregivers at our unit (4 rheumatologists, 2 trainees, 1 nurse) participated in multiple single-blinded observational sessions. In 100% of observed consultations medication information was provided. However, most caregivers did not address the topic of side effects during their consultation. Furthermore, in all cases caregivers failed to document in the electronic patient file which information was provided. Conclusion Rheumatoid arthritis patients express overall satisfaction with medication education but experience an unmet need for information on possible medication effects on their sex life, medication side effects and on interaction with concomitant medication. Further analysis of the questionnaires will be performed and a plan of improvement will be implemented to meet the patients need for more and better education on medication. Patient medication education will be implemented in a continuous cycle of improvement. References [1] Zanghi HA, Ndosi M, Adams J, et al. (2015) EULAR recommendations for patients education for people with inflammatory arthritis. [2] Daien Cl, Hua C, Come B, et al. (2016) Pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies in early arthritis: results of a systamatic literature informing the 2016 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of early arthritis. RMD open 2016 [3] An Bord Altranais. (2003). Guidance to Nurses and Midwives on Medication Management. An Bord Altranais. [4] Dublin.Roycroft-Malone J., Latter S., Yerrell P. and Shaw D. (2000). Nursing and medication education. Nursing Standard. 14. (50) 35-39. [5] Horne R, Hankins M, Jenkins R. The Satisfaction with Information about Medicine Scale (SIMS): a new mesurement tool for audit and research. Qual Health Care. 2001;10:135-140 Disclosure of Interests None declared |
