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| Authors | L M Azzopardi A Serracino Inglott M Zarb Adami L Montebello |
| Abstract | Aim: To evaluate long-term effects of pharmacist intervention in counseling elderly patients upon discharge. Method: A prospective controlled study was undertaken. The pharmacist intervention consisted of the pharmacists preparing a four-day medicines supply, a patient discharge medication leaflet and counseling patients on how to take the medications. At Zammit Clapp Hospital, 53 patients were interviewed on admission (t0), after pharmacist intervention (t1), four days post-discharge (t4) and fifteen days post-discharge (t15) (Group A). At St Vincent de Paule Residence, 28 patients as the control group patients (Group B) did not receive pharmacist intervention and were interviewed at t0. Patient interview was intended to evaluate patient knowledge on medications and patient compliance. Results: Patient knowledge improved from 26% (t0) to 86% (t1) for Group A patients. Knowledge decreased to 73% at t4 and to 58% at t15. There is a significant decrease (p=0) in knowledge when comparing results for all four interviews. The knowledge of Group A patients (26%) was not significantly different to Group B patients (30%) at t0. Compliance reported by patients was with 86% and 76% of the medications at t4 and t15 respectively compared to the 94% intended compliance during discharge (p<0.05). Conclusion: The pharmacist intervention resulted in an improvement in knowledge. There was a significant decrease in knowledge between t1 and t15, suggesting that a pharmacist counseling session held every four weeks, when the patient presents at the pharmacy for a refill, is indicated for older persons. |
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| Journal | Malta Medical Journal |
| Volume | 15 Issue 1-2/suppl. 2003 |
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| Key words | elderly, intervention, patient discharge, pharmacist |