Patients' knowledge about medication prescription in the emergency service.

Thaynara Paola De Carvalho,Maria Carolina Barbosa Teixeira Lopes,Cassia Regina Vancini Campanharo,Ruth Ester Assayag Batista,Meiry Fernanda Pinto Okuno

doi:10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0002

Thaynara Paola De Carvalho, Maria Carolina Barbosa Teixeira Lopes + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0002

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Abstract

To identify which orientations were received by the patient about the medication prescription and which professional performed it; to evaluate the patients' knowledge about prescription drugs and to correlate it to socioeconomic variables, comorbidities, and the frequency with which the patient seeks emergency service; and to evaluate the knowledge about the medication prescribed after the health care. This was a cross-sectional study on 304 patients that received emergency service's discharge along with medication prescription. Applied instruments: sociodemographic characterization and evaluation of the knowledge about the prescribed medication. We used a descriptive and inferential analysis. Most subjects had no doubts about how or for how long to take the medication; and presented questions about adverse reactions and what to do in case of forgetting to take the medication doses. There was a significant association between age; educational level; comorbidity; the frequency of emergency service's use; and knowledge about medications. a total of 48% of the patients declared to need information about adverse effects and what to do if they forget to take the medication.

Highlights

Emergency services are among the most requested services and, the most overcrowded of the hospital sectors[1]
Our study aimed to identify which orientations were received by patients about medication prescription and which professional performed it; to evaluate the patients’ knowledge about prescribed medication after care; and to correlate it to socioeconomic variables, comorbidities, and the frequency with which patients seek emergency service; and to evaluate the knowledge about the medication prescribed after emergency service
Less frequent were the orientations regarding the possibility of some adverse reaction and what should be done if the patient forgets to take one or more doses of the medication

Summary

Introduction

Emergency services are among the most requested services and, the most overcrowded of the hospital sectors[1]. Evidences point to a direct and consistent relation between overcrowding and the compromising of quality in the assistance provided in emergency services[2,3]. Primary factors, such as health education and proper orientation of patients, are essential to a safe assistance[4]. Most patients who resort to those services receive, after the medical treatment, a medication prescription and treatment orientations for the adequate follow-up at home[1]. The complex environment of the emergency services, which does not favor written or verbal communication between health professional and patient; among other obstacles such as the low educational level of the attended public[1]

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Conclusion