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Patient and general practitioner perspectives of the Hospital Outreach Medication Review service at Monash Health
Author(s) -
Hanna Mary,
Larmour Ian,
Wilson Sally,
O'Leary Karen
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of pharmacy practice and research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 2055-2335
pISSN - 1445-937X
DOI - 10.1002/jppr.1115
Subject(s) - medicine , outreach , family medicine , pharmacist , pharmacy , medication therapy management , medical prescription , clinical pharmacy , nursing , political science , law
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's GP 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%) and 84% 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.