Inpatients' information needs about medication: A narrative systematic literature review

Abstract

Objective: To provide an overview of inpatients' information needs about medication, including the best moment to provide this information, how, by whom and what patient characteristics influence these needs.

Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted. Studies that reported the information needs from inpatients about medication were included from Medline and Embase. The Crowe critical appraisal tool (CCAT) was used to assess the quality of the studies.

Results: Initially, 710 records were retrieved from Medline and Embase. After the forward search, another 609 records were screened and in total, 26 articles were included. The CCAT scores ranged from 17 to 34 points on a 40 point scale and two articles received 0 points.

Conclusion: Inpatients main needs about medicine information are information about adverse and beneficial effects of medication, and general rules about how to take medication. Preferably, this information is printed and provided at the time of prescribing by a physician that already has a relationship with the patient. The most recent studies show that patients are open to the use of modern technology.

Practice implications: This review provides a starting point for providing medicine information to inpatients. Further research should focus on patient characteristics influencing these information needs.

Keywords: Hospitalized patients; Medication; Medicine information needs; Patient counseling.