[Do patients know enough about their medication? A questionnaire among cardiac patients discharged from 5 Norwegian hospitals]

Abstract

Information to patients on drugs is varied and often inadequate. This was demonstrated by a questionnaire answered by 173 patients after discharge from five Norwegian hospitals. The effects/indications were known by the patients for 66% of the drugs. The daily dosage and dosage regimen were also known for more than 90% of the drugs, but possible side effects were unknown for more than 80% of the drugs. Knowledge of important interactions was low. 40% of the patients reported that the time alloted for information on drugs was insufficient, and 25% had many unanswered questions concerning drugs after discharge. This investigation shows that either the information on drugs from health care professionals to patients is insufficient, or that patients are incapable of absorbing and understanding the information provided. Hospitals should improve their drug related counselling service to patients at discharge.