Multicentre Study of Caregivers’ Literacy

Regarding Their Child’s Medication Use

Christine H. Smith MBBS Natalie Phillips MBBS

Alan L. Nager MD MHA Daniel M. Cohen MD Ran D. Goldman MD

Pretx.org

Medications • 75% of medications used by

children were never tested in children

• The dose used is derived frequently from adult studies

When it Really Matters

• Millions of families bring their children to the emergency department every year. – Primary provider is unavailable – Late at night – Perceiving emergency situation

In Emergency

• Lack of previous records • Busy setting • Primary providers unavailable • No time to search external records

Pharmanet modernization. Quality Forum 2013

Pharmanet modernization. Quality Forum 2013

Objective To assess the ability of parents and caregivers to recall and communicate information regarding their children’s medication usage in a pediatric Emergency Department (ED) population.

http://www.google.co.il/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=SZQrkRm48haIqM&tbnid=yStwIa72PcwrMM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FGreater_Los_Angeles_Area&ei=fMnvUsPHE8fX0QWQ3YGQBw&bvm=bv.60444564,d.bGE&psig=AFQjCNHSzsbq6iDzc8oPvX1GsJ0mmDvmHw&ust=1391532753203615

Methods

• 4 emergency departments • Interview with parents • Children 0-18 years • Structured 15-question survey • During the 7 days prior to their visit

Results

• 1563 caregivers were approached • 1433 (92%) interviews completed • Primary care provider in 1376 (96%) • 1 or more meds by 965 (67%) children

1564 Approached

1433 (92%) Completed

468 (33%) Using no

Prescribed or OTC Meds

468 (67%) Using

Prescribed or OTC Meds

Medical Problems

Number of Medications

Results

• Meaningful name in 1669 (82%) medications

• Name and dose for 987 (49%) medications

Meaningful Name

Meaningful Name and Dose

Side Effects Known

OTC MEDICATIONS 1089 (54%)

MEDICATION TYPES LANGUAGE AT HOME

PRESCRIBED MEDICATIONS 926 (46%) ENGLISH 1695 (84%)

• MEANINGFUL NAME 838 (91%)

• MEANINGFUL NAME AND DOSE (563 (60%)

• MEANINGFUL NAME 826 (76%)

• MEANINGFUL NAME AND DOSE 426 (39%))

• MEANINGFUL NAME 245 (75%)

• MEANINGFUL NAME AND DOSE 167 (51%)

• MEANINGFUL NAME 1424 (84%)

• MEANINGFUL NAME AND DOSE 820 (48%)

NOT ENGLISH 328 (16%)

OTC MEDICATIONS 1089 (54%)

MEDICATION TYPES LANGUAGE AT HOME

PRESCRIBED MEDICATIONS 926 (46%) ENGLISH 1695 (84%)

• MEANINGFUL NAME 838 (91%)

• MEANINGFUL NAME AND DOSE (563 (60%)

• MEANINGFUL NAME 826 (76%)

• MEANINGFUL NAME AND DOSE 426 (39%))

• MEANINGFUL NAME 245 (75%)

• MEANINGFUL NAME AND DOSE 167 (51%)

• MEANINGFUL NAME 1424 (84%)

• MEANINGFUL NAME AND DOSE 820 (48%)

NOT ENGLISH 328 (16%)

P < 0.001

OTC MEDICATIONS 1089 (54%)

MEDICATION TYPES LANGUAGE AT HOME

PRESCRIBED MEDICATIONS 926 (46%) ENGLISH 1695 (84%)

• MEANINGFUL NAME 838 (91%)

• MEANINGFUL NAME AND DOSE (563 (60%)

• MEANINGFUL NAME 826 (76%)

• MEANINGFUL NAME AND DOSE 426 (39%))

• MEANINGFUL NAME 245 (75%)

• MEANINGFUL NAME AND DOSE 167 (51%)

• MEANINGFUL NAME 1424 (84%)

• MEANINGFUL NAME AND DOSE 820 (48%)

NOT ENGLISH 328 (16%)

OTC MEDICATIONS 1089 (54%)

MEDICATION TYPES LANGUAGE AT HOME

PRESCRIBED MEDICATIONS 926 (46%) ENGLISH 1695 (84%)

• MEANINGFUL NAME 838 (91%)

• MEANINGFUL NAME AND DOSE (563 (60%)

• MEANINGFUL NAME 826 (76%)

• MEANINGFUL NAME AND DOSE 426 (39%))

• MEANINGFUL NAME 245 (75%)

• MEANINGFUL NAME AND DOSE 167 (51%)

• MEANINGFUL NAME 1424 (84%)

• MEANINGFUL NAME AND DOSE 820 (48%)

NOT ENGLISH 328 (16%)

P < 0.001

Conclusions Caregivers provided limited information regarding their child’s medication dose Especially : - English as a second language - Patients using OTC medications

Conclusions We suggest :

– Develop strategies to optimise medication literacy

– Provide medication lists to your patients

– Advocate bringing meds to health care providers