Abstract
Background: The Hospital Outreach Medication Review (HOMR) service at Monash Health is a pharmacist-led service that targets patients at high risk of medication misadventure in the immediate post-discharge period.
Aim: To determine the views of patients and general practitioners (GPs) who were involved with a HOMR in 2012.
Method: A standardised risk assessment tool was used to identify patients at high risk of medication misadventure at Monash Health. A HOMR was provided by a clinical pharmacist from the Monash Health Pharmacy Department who undertook a structured evaluation of a patient’s medications and produced a report on the issues identified and recommended management strategies. This report was disseminated to the patient’sGP with a feedback questionnaire. Patient perceptions were determined using an anonymous self-administered, paper-based questionnaire.
Results: A total of 487 home visits were conducted in 2012 (49.7% male patients, 50.3% female, mean age 72.8 ± 14.1 years). A total of 217 patients (45%) returned feedback forms. About 99% of patients who responded felt the HOMR was worthwhile (very much 88%, partly 11%) and84% indicated they were more confident and less confused about their medications. In all, 105 (21.6%) GPs of 487 responded to the feedback form. Ninety-six percent of GP respondents indicated they agreed with the recommendations made and 92% indicated they would adopt either some (44%) or all (48%) of the recommendations.
Conclusion: The positive views shared by patients and their GPs are indicative of the importance of medication reviews in promoting medication safety and encouraging autonomous medication adherence.
Aim: To determine the views of patients and general practitioners (GPs) who were involved with a HOMR in 2012.
Method: A standardised risk assessment tool was used to identify patients at high risk of medication misadventure at Monash Health. A HOMR was provided by a clinical pharmacist from the Monash Health Pharmacy Department who undertook a structured evaluation of a patient’s medications and produced a report on the issues identified and recommended management strategies. This report was disseminated to the patient’sGP with a feedback questionnaire. Patient perceptions were determined using an anonymous self-administered, paper-based questionnaire.
Results: A total of 487 home visits were conducted in 2012 (49.7% male patients, 50.3% female, mean age 72.8 ± 14.1 years). A total of 217 patients (45%) returned feedback forms. About 99% of patients who responded felt the HOMR was worthwhile (very much 88%, partly 11%) and84% indicated they were more confident and less confused about their medications. In all, 105 (21.6%) GPs of 487 responded to the feedback form. Ninety-six percent of GP respondents indicated they agreed with the recommendations made and 92% indicated they would adopt either some (44%) or all (48%) of the recommendations.
Conclusion: The positive views shared by patients and their GPs are indicative of the importance of medication reviews in promoting medication safety and encouraging autonomous medication adherence.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 282-290 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research |
| Volume | 45 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2015 |
Keywords
- HMR
- HOMR
- Medication review
- Outreach