PURPOSE Physicians prescribing new medications often do not convey important medication-related information. This study tests an intervention to improve physician-patient communication about newly prescribed medications. METHODSWe conducted a controlled clinical trial of patients in 3 primary care practices, combining data from patient surveys with audio-recorded physicianpatient interactions. The intervention consisted of a 1-hour physician-targeted interactive educational session encouraging communication about 5 basic elements regarding a new prescription and a patient information handout listing the 5 basic elements. Main outcome measures were the Medication Communication Index (MCI), a 5-point index assessed by qualitative analysis of audio-recorded interactions (giving points for discussion of medication name, purpose, directions for use, duration of use, and side effects), and patient ratings of physician communication about new prescriptions.RESULTS Twenty-seven physicians prescribed 113 new medications to 82 of 256 patients. The mean MCI for medications prescribed by physicians in the intervention group was 3.95 (SD = 1.02), signifi cantly higher than that for medications prescribed by control group physicians (2.86, SD = 1.23, P <.001). This effect held regardless of medication type (chronic vs nonchronic medication). Counseling about 3 of the 5 MCI components was signifi cantly higher for medications prescribed by physicians in the intervention group, as were patients' ratings of new medication information transfer (P = .02). Independent of intervention or control groups, higher MCI scores were associated with better patient ratings about information about new prescriptions (P = .003).CONCLUSIONS A physician-targeted educational session improved the content of and enhanced patient ratings of physician communication about new medication prescriptions. Further work is required to assess whether improved communication stimulated by the intervention translates into better clinical outcomes. Ann Fam Med 2013;11:28-36. doi:10.1370/afm.1417. INTRODUCTIONP hysicians prescribing a new medication often fail to discuss basic information about the medication with patients. 1 Yet guidelines recommend that physicians educate older adults about such information as the reason for the medication, how to take it, and potential side effects.2,3 Furthermore, better patient knowledge about medications is associated with better medication adherence. 4 Though there is little empirical evidence to guide what physicians in an outpatient setting should discuss when prescribing new medications, studies have shown that patients who reported better and more discussions with their physicians about prescription medications were more adherent to their medications than those who reported receiving less information. [5][6][7][8] Physicians may rely on pharmacists to counsel patients about new prescriptions. 9 The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 mandated that pharmacists inform patients about how to use a medication, ...