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Understanding of diagnosis and medications among non‐English‐speaking older patients
Author(s) -
Teo Ken GW,
Tacey Mark,
Holbeach Edwina
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
australasian journal on ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1741-6612
pISSN - 1440-6381
DOI - 10.1111/ajag.12503
Subject(s) - medicine , emergency medicine , intensive care medicine
Objective To determine whether non‐English‐speaking background ( NESB ) patients had a poorer understanding of diagnosis and medications compared to English‐speaking background (ESB) patients. Methods English‐speaking background and NESB patients admitted to inpatient geriatric evaluation and management ( GEM ) unit were asked standardised questions about their admission diagnosis, reason for GEM admission and medications. Accuracy of answers, as compared to medical notes, ranked as ‘full credit’, ‘partial credit’ or ‘no credit’. Results Of the 66 patients recruited (30 NESB ), understanding of diagnosis and purpose of GEM admission was good. There was no difference between ESB and NESB patients. Understanding of medications taken prior to admission was poor, with 67% of overall patients scoring ‘no credit’. NESB patients were more likely to score ‘no credit’ compared to ESB (80% vs 56%, P = 0.036). Conclusion Reassuringly, patients had a reasonable understanding of diagnosis and purpose of GEM admission. Lack of understanding of medications, especially among NESB patients, should be improved.