BackgroundA national innovative telephone drug information service, called MiS, was implemented in April 2016 to improve diffusion of information about drugs and health products. MiS consists of four networked drug information centres (DIC) which provide free, reliable and objective information to healthcare providers and patients. All telephone queries are processed by experienced and trained pharmacists.PurposeThe aim of the study was to assess the perceived clinical impact of pharmacists’ interventions and users’ satisfaction of the unique MiS DIC dedicated to outpatients.Material and methodsThree surveys were conducted from the analysis of the first 200 queries:(1) extraction from MiS question/response database to highlight the main themes;(2) peer review of each intervention to highlight perceived clinical and/or economic impacts, using the Hatoum scale; and (3) a satisfaction survey was conducted by telephone interview with patients.ResultsOf 200 queries, 89% concerned approved drugs, 9% other health products (eg, dietary supplements) and 2% medical devices. The main patient concerns were adverse effects (23%), drug interactions (20%) and indications/contraindications (14%), mainly regarding cardiovascular (20%), nervous system (16%) and anti-infective (10%) treatments. MiS interventions were judged to have a clinical impact in 86% of cases by optimising drug therapy (68%) and preventing potential adverse events (32%), and an economic impact in 25%. Drug therapy optimisation consists of improving patient compliance (28%), seamless care (18%) and proper use of drugs (15%) whereas iatrogenic prevention consists of avoiding drug misuse (12%). Globally, the perceived impact of MiS was deemed ‘significant’ in 53%, ‘very significant’ in 24% and ‘vital’ in 4%. In addition, the satisfaction survey revealed that most patients (>80% of 149 respondents) were very satisfied with the relevance and usefulness of the information delivered.ConclusionDespite self-assessment bias, our results highlight the fact that most MiS interventions had a perceived clinical impact, particularly in improving patient compliance and proper use of drugs, guaranteeing drug effectiveness. Associated with a high level of user satisfaction, MiS represents a real need for outpatients who search for reliable drug information and the accessibility of this service must be sustained and expanded.No conflict of interest

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This article discusses the results of a research that aimed to identify how the nurses engaged in the Family Health Program of the community of Complexo do Alemão, in the city of Rio de Janeiro, recognize the SUS principles in the context of their educative practices. It is a qualitative study, adopting the dialectical approach as its methodological framework, and has used interviews and semi-structured observation for data collection. By accomplishing this study, we have sought to contribute for nurses’ reflection on the importance of innovative and transformative educational practices that promote the incorporation of the SUS principles.

BackgroundThe Health System Modernisation law recommends better information and support to patients in their health path. In this context, a medication therapy management programme, AIPAT, was implemented in our hospital.PurposeThe aim of this study was to assess patient satisfaction with this programme.Material and methodsSince March 2015, medication therapy management interventions (MTMi) are offered to outgoing patients from the cardiology department. These interventions, about 15 min and conducted by a pharmacist or specifically trained physician, were structured around two educational tools, designed for this programme:(1) a card game to help patients understand the therapeutic goals of their drugs;(2) a personalised medication schedule, filled in with the patient, listing their treatments with their therapeutic goals and delivered by hand to the patient at the end of the interventions. Finally, a satisfaction survey, completed by the patient, was proposed. Data from this survey were collected and analysed.ResultsOver a period of 15 months, 237 MTMi were conducted and 208 satisfaction surveys were returned. Median age of respondent was 77 years. Discharge prescription included a median of 7 drugs. The intervention was found ‘useful’ or ‘essential’ in 84% of patients. Almost all patients (99%) were ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ by messages and information delivered. 79% of patients judged that answers to their questions were satisfying. Most patients (90%) felt they had acquired new knowledge about their pathology and/or their treatments. Regarding the personalised medication schedule, 81% of patients found it ‘easy to use’, 75% ‘essential’ and 76% ‘adapted to their pathology’. Nearly 9 out of 10 patients declared that they will use this personalised schedule in everyday life.ConclusionResults showed a very high satisfaction rate and the tools proposed and information provided were very well received by patients. These results highlight the need to continue and extend this programme to other departments and/or hospitals. An assessment of MTMi benefit, particularly for patient compliance, should subsequently be implemented. Finally, electronic transposition of the tools, such as a ‘smartphone/tablet’ application, could be designed to make them interactive and to enable patients or healthcare providers to update the personalised medication schedule.No conflict of interest