Med Ed : Making sense of medication

Today’s presentationToday’s presentation

• Background and context• Resource development• Description• Using Med Ed• Training• Evaluation• Next steps

A reflective exercise…A reflective exercise…In your practice:• Do many of your clients take medications?• Are you often asked to find information about

medications for your clients?• Do you have access to medication information

resources that are useful for your clients?• Do your clients receive adequate information about

the benefits and risks of their medications?

Background and contextBackground and context• Youth taking psychotropic medications

often do not know enough about these medications.

• Youth-oriented materials are very hard to find.

• Most resources don’t work to promote dialogue between youth, caregivers, and health providers.

• Currently piloting the Med Ed resource, developed at the request of MCYS.

Resource DevelopmentResource Development

The teamThe team

Developers2 pharmacists (Drs. AndreaMurphy and David Gardner)

1 psychiatrist (Dr. Stan Kutcher)

PartnersThe Provincial Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health at CHEO(Drs. Ian Manion and Simon Davidson)

Other critical peopleOther critical people

• Youth with mental illnesses• Clinicians• Graphic designer• Plain language consultant • Expert review panel

(Ontario)• Legal consultation

Revisions Stakeholder

feedback

Revisions Stakeholder

feedback

Basic booklet template

Developing the contentDeveloping the content1. Most important information comes first

Order of content (see FAQs) based on youth input

2. Style (font, size, graphics) Based on input by youth and other key stakeholders

3. “Medicaleze” A glossary is provided that explains important medical

terms

4. Illustrations Used to convey detailed, complex information

5. Written at 6th grade level Plain language writer edited content

6. Concise, bulleted format Bulleted information acts as “springboards” to

discussion for patients and health providers

7. Consistency with design and information Sections follow the same format and style

Description of Med EdDescription of Med Ed

The bookletThe booklet• Content rich• Three main sections:

• Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

• Tools and checklists• Glossary

The passportThe passport• Portable, concealable• Full of tools• A companion to the booklet• Abbreviated sections

• FAQs• Checklists

Med Ed ContentMed Ed Content

Contact informationContact information

Table of contentsTable of contents

General information and disclaimersGeneral information and disclaimers

Legal rights regarding meds in Legal rights regarding meds in OntarioOntario

FAQsFAQs

Med Ed information boxesMed Ed information boxes

Table of medicationsTable of medications

Side effectsSide effects

Med Ed ToolsMed Ed Tools

ChecklistsChecklists• Designed to support communication

between clients and care providers• Lists questions to ask prescriber and

pharmacist• Includes space to make notes

Checklist DocChecklist Doc

TrackersTrackers• Work to support

improved self-monitoring and clinician-monitoring of medication side effects

• Client and care provider agree upon what to monitor and how often

Also includes…Also includes…

• Medication list• Appointments • Notes page• Glossary

Med Ed PassportMed Ed Passport

Contact informationContact information

FAQsFAQs

ToolsTools

Med Ed Pilot TrainingMed Ed Pilot Training• Train-the-trainer model• 19 trained Champions from across the

province in a range of roles, mostly in residential treatment facilities

• Champions are currently providing training within their organizations

• Ongoing support is provided to Champions via web portal and regular teleconferences

Med Ed evaluation of pilot stageMed Ed evaluation of pilot stage• Focus:

– Effectiveness of training in increasing knowledge and confidence for service providers; utility of tool for end-users

• Sources:– Champions, trained service providers, end-users

(youth and caregivers)

• Methods: – Questionnaires, telephone interviews, focus groups

Med Ed in your practice settingMed Ed in your practice setting

• Just because Med Ed is available doesn’t mean it will be used.

• A number of variables influence whether or not healthcare innovations are adopted.

Small group exerciseSmall group exercise• What factors may influence the

uptake of Med Ed in your practice setting?

• What are the barriers?• What are the facilitators?• What strategies can be used to

overcome barriers and capitalize on facilitators?

Next steps…Next steps…• Evaluation findings are identifying areas for

growth and development.• A second iteration of Champion training is being

planned for early 2009.• Different models of training for different

Champion groups (e.g., physicians, teachers, pharmacists) are being considered.

• Future dissemination efforts beyond piloting are planned for identified target regions and sectors, stakeholder groups and other Canadian provinces and interested parties outside Canada.

For more information:For more information:

Purnima Sundar, PhDPurnima Sundar, PhDResearch and Knowledge Exchange ConsultantResearch and Knowledge Exchange Consultant

(613) 737-7600 ext. 3485(613) 737-7600 ext. 3485psundar@cheo.on.capsundar@cheo.on.cawww.onthepoint.cawww.onthepoint.ca