Abstract
BackgroundAbout 25% of patients experience adverse drug events (ADE) in primary care, but few events are reported by the patients themselves. One solution to improve the detection and management of ADEs in primary care is for patients to report them to their general practitioner. The study aimed to assess the effect of a booklet designed to improve communication and interaction between patients treated with anti-hypertensive drugs and general practitioners on the reporting of ADEs.MethodsA cluster randomized controlled cross-sectional stepped wedge open trial (five periods of 3 months) was conducted. A cluster was a group of general practitioners working in ambulatory offices in France. Adults consulting their general practitioner to initiate, modify, or renew an antihypertensive prescription were included. A booklet including information on cardiovascular risks, antihypertensive treatments, and ADE report forms was delivered by the general practitioner to the patient in the intervention group. The primary outcome was the reporting of at least one ADE by the patient to his general practitioner during the three-month period after enrolment. Two clusters were randomised by sequence for a total of 8 to receive the intervention. An intention-to-treat analysis was conducted. A logistic mixed model with random intercept was used.ResultsSixty general practitioners included 1095 patients (median: 14 per general practitioner; range: 1–103). More patients reported at least one ADE to their general practitioner in the intervention condition compared to the control condition (aOR = 3.5, IC95 [1.2–10.1], p = 0.02). The modification and initiation of an antihypertensive treatment were also significantly associated with the reporting of ADEs (aOR = 4.4, CI95 [1.9–10.0], p < 0.001 and aOR = 11.0, CI95 [4.6–26.4], p < 0.001, respectively). The booklet delivery also improved patient satisfaction on general practitioner communication and high blood pressure management.ConclusionA booklet can improve patient self-reporting of ADEs to their general practitioners. Future research should assess whether it can improve general practitioner management of ADEs and patient’s health status.Trial registrationTrial registry identifier NCT01610817 (2012/05/30).
Highlights
About 25% of patients experience adverse drug events (ADE) in primary care, but few events are reported by the patients themselves
It seems important to encourage patients to report ADEs to their general practitioner (GP), patients treated with antihypertensive drugs who are at high risk of ADEs
Statistical analysis Description concerned GP and patient characteristics, ADEs self-reported by patients to their GP, and all ADEs reported by patients and/or their GPs
Summary
About 25% of patients experience adverse drug events (ADE) in primary care, but few events are reported by the patients themselves. One solution to improve the detection and management of ADEs in primary care is for patients to report them to their general practitioner. The study aimed to assess the effect of a booklet designed to improve communication and interaction between patients treated with anti-hypertensive drugs and general practitioners on the reporting of ADEs. About 25% of patients experience adverse drug events (ADEs) in primary care [1,2,3] and over a quarter of these could be prevent if situations at risk were detected earlier [4]. Patients report ADEs four times less frequently than healthcare professionals [8]. It seems important to encourage patients to report ADEs to their GP, patients treated with antihypertensive drugs who are at high risk of ADEs
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