Chronic disease management in developed and developing countries: a cardiovascular case study

Abstract

CALD Australians are over-represented in the figures of consumers experiencing difficulties managing their medicines. To address this inequality, NPS MedicineWise developed an in-language educational program on the quality use of medicines (QUM) for CALD consumers from ten language groups. As a novel approach, it is delivered by bilingual pharmacists in their native tongue. It aimed to: Improve awareness and knowledge of quality use of medicines among CALD seniors; Influence their behaviour in a manner that supports QUM; and create and strengthen partnerships with ethnospecific organisations and bilingual health professionals. Methods: Education seminars were developed for 2 topis, Safe and wise use of medicines and Managing pain. Education seminars were run nationally over 12 months in ten different languages. Telephone surveys were conducted in-language with 50 Korean, 50 Macedonian and 50 Spanish consumers attending a seminar on Safe and Wise Use of Medicines. A retrospective pre-test design was used to assess any changes in knowledge and behaviour as a result of attending the seminars. Results: There was a significant increase in the number of CALD consumers using their medicines correctly. The seminars prompted improvements in recognition of the risks of using medicines, including, allergic reactions (+11.3%, p1⁄40.015); side effects (+10%, p1⁄40.017); combining different types of medicines (+9.3, p1⁄40.046). The seminars also successfully prompted respondents to use a medicines list. The top three likes of participants were: It provided helpful information (92.7%, n1⁄4139); it was conducted in the participants’ own language (48%, n1⁄472); and it was presented by a health professional (40%, n1⁄460). Conclusions: Empowering the consumer to take control of their medicines management is an important step to improving health outcomes. The seminars helped participants make informed choices about their medicines in partnership with their health professional, by encouraging them to ask the right questions and increase their own knowledge.