• Magazine
    • Past Issues
    • Subscribe
    • Change Mailing Address
    • Surveys
    • Guidelines for Authors
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Editorial Deadlines
  • Practice
    • Business Tips
    • Chiropractic Schools
    • Clinical & Technique
    • eBooks
    • eCourses
    • Infographics
    • Quizzes
    • Wellness & Nutrition
    • Personal Growth
    • Podcast
  • Resource Centers
  • Products & Services
    • Buyer’s Guide
    • Products Directory
    • Submit a Product
    • Vendor Login
  • Datebook
    • Become an Events Poster
    • Post an Event
    • View Events
  • Jobs
    • Jobs
    • Post a Job
  • Advertise
    • Advertising Information
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
    • Upload Advertising

Your Online Chiropractic Community

Chiropractic Economics Your Online Chiropractic Community
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • News
  • Webinars
  • Chiropractic Research
  • Students
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Teaching patients about new medications? A picture is worth 1,000 words

Chiropractic Economics May 3, 2013

042313medsmedia-storyMay 3, 2013 — Improving people’s knowledge and skills about their medications may be best achieved with multimedia patient education materials, finds a new systematic review in The Cochrane Library.

Sabina Ciciriello, PhD, head reviewer and rheumatologist at Royal Melbourne Hospital in Australia, says multimedia interventions offer significant potential advantages, often combining written words with diagrams, pictures, animation, audio or video.

“Studies have shown that 40 to 80 percent of the instructions about medications given to patients verbally by health care professionals are promptly forgotten — and about half of what is remembered is remembered incorrectly,” says Ciciriello.  “In addition, the literacy level required to read many patient information leaflets is much higher than that of the general population.” The review identified 24 studies testing multimedia interventions in 8,112 patients.

Ciciriello initiated the review when she noticed that many of her patients were getting misinformation about methotrexate. As a low-dose tablet once a week, methotrexate is an effective first line treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. This drug, however, is also used in high doses as a therapy for cancer.

“If you look at information online, or in literature enclosed with methotrexate tablets, it lists all of the side effects,” she says. “It does not differentiate between the low dose used for rheumatoid arthritis and the high dose used for chemotherapy. Some of our patients chose not to go on what is a very good treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, because of concerns about side effects. Others experienced serious side effects, and even death, by taking the wrong strength tablet, or taking it daily.”

According to Ciciriello, education should be offered in a variety of formats, so patients can choose the ones best for them. Those who are less tech savvy might watch a video in their doctor’s waiting room, while others might download an app on their computers. “More quality research is required in this area, but it is vital that patients be informed on how to take medicine safely. With today’s technology, it is getting easier and cheaper for health care professionals and patient support groups to produce these materials.”

“Patient-clinician communications are often inadequate,” agrees Curt Furberg, MD, professor emeritus at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and co-author of Knowing Your Medications — A Guide to Becoming an Informed Patient.

“Multimedia educational resources can play an important role in better informing and engaging patients about their medical conditions and their medications.  Of particular value are electronic reminders to improve adherence to long-term drug treatment.  Patients have the right to be fully informed about a medication’s potential benefits and harmful effects.”

Source: Health Behavior News Service, part of the Center for Advancing Health

Related Posts

  • One-hour free webinar ‘Turning Adversity Into Action’ Wednesday from Global Wellness SummitOne-hour free webinar ‘Turning Adversity Into Action’ Wednesday from Global Wellness Summit
  • During virus season improve immune system by shutting down stressDuring virus season improve immune system by shutting down stress
  • Multi Radiance Medical to Apply for FDA Emergency Use After Laser Therapy Helps COVID-19 Patients in TrialMulti Radiance Medical to Apply for FDA Emergency Use After Laser Therapy Helps COVID-19 Patients in Trial
  • Gut microbiome may affect some anti-diabetes drugsGut microbiome may affect some anti-diabetes drugs
  • Common painkillers linked to greater risk of cardiac arrestCommon painkillers linked to greater risk of cardiac arrest
  • Common painkillers don’t ease back pain, study findsCommon painkillers don’t ease back pain, study finds

Filed Under: General Health, News

Current Issue

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube logoYouTube logoYouTube

820 A1A N Highway W18,

Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

Phone 904.285.6020

Fax 904.395.9118

CONTACT US »

Privacy Policy & Terms of Service

Copyright © 2021, All Rights Reserved

SUBSCRIBE TO THE MAGAZINE

Get Chiropractic Economics magazine
delivered to your home or office. Just
fill out our form to request your FREE
subscription for 20 issues a year,
including two annual Buyers Guides.

SUBSCRIBE NOW »

Latest Chiropractic News

  • Troy Healthcare debuts clinically-validated topical migraine and headache formula
  • Colorado allows chiropractors to give COVID-19 vaccine shots
  • American Chiropractic Association lauds U.S. Congress passing fair competition health legislation
    The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) lauded the U.S. Congress for passing legislation that will promote fair competition in health...
x