Domiciliary medication reviews by fourth year pharmacy students in Western Australia

Abstract

Abstract Objective The principal aim of this study was to assess the potential value of final-year undergraduate pharmacy students in domiciliary medication review (DMR). Method Students attended workshops on communication skills, complementary medicines and medication review. Each student contacted 5–10 patients by telephone and asked them to identify from memory all current medications. The student later conducted a DMR in the patient's home and prepared a report for the pharmacist preceptor and the patient's medical practitioner (GP) to review. Results The students recruited 189 patients, 80% of whom were over 60 years of age. The mean number of medications recalled by patients (5.8±2.9) was significantly lower than the number of medications that patients were actually taking (8.5 ± 3.5; P <0.001). Overall, 39% of patients gave incorrect/unknown indications for at least one medication and 17% had expired medicines. Students identified an average of 2.1 ± 1.7 actual or potential medication problems per patient. The mean number of problems endorsed by the pharmacist and GP were 1.1 and 0.9, and an additional 0.4 and 0.2 problems were identified, respectively. Nineteen patients (10%) required changes in therapy. Pharmacists and GPs thought it was appropriate for students to conduct DMRs under supervision and to include DMR as part of the students' training. Conclusion Final-year pharmacy students were capable of collecting and collating medication information for DMRs in the community setting. The programme was acceptable to patients, GPs and pharmacist preceptors. Experience in DMRs should be included in the education of pharmacy students and pre-registration trainees.