Enhancing provision of written medicine information in Australia: pharmacist, general practitioner and consumer perceptions of the barriers and facilitators

Abstract

BackgroundWritten medicine information can play an important role in educating consumers about their medicines. In Australia, standardised, comprehensive written information known as Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is available for all prescription medicines. CMI is reportedly under-utilised by general practitioners (GPs) and community pharmacists in consultations, despite consumer desire for medicine information. This study aimed to determine consumers’, GPs’ and community pharmacists’ preferences for CMI provision and identify barriers and facilitators to its use.MethodStructured questionnaires were developed and administered to a national sample of Australian consumers (phone survey), community pharmacists and GPs (postal surveys) surrounding utilisation of CMI. Descriptive and comparative analyses were conducted.ResultsHalf of consumers surveyed wanted to receive CMI for their prescription medicine, with spoken information preferable to written medicine information for many consumers and healthcare professionals. GPs and pharmacists remained a preferred source of medicine information for consumers, although package inserts were appealing to many among all three cohorts. Overall pharmacists were the preferred provider of CMI primarily due to their medicine expertise, accessibility and perceived availability. GPs preferred CMI dissemination through both the GP and pharmacist. Some consumers preferred GPs as the provider of medicines information because of their knowledge of the patients’ medicines and/or medical history, regularity of seeing the patient and good relationship with the patient. Common barriers to CMI provision cited included: time constraints, CMI length and perceptions that patients are not interested in receiving CMI. Facilitators to enhance provision included: strategies to increase consumer awareness, longer consultation times and counseling appointments, and improvements to pharmacy software technology and workflow.ConclusionMedicine information is important to consumers, whether as spoken, written or a combination of both. A tailored approach is needed to ascertain individual patient preference for delivery and scope of medicine information desired so that appropriate information is provided. The barriers of time and perceived attitudes of healthcare practitioners present challenges which may be overcome through changes to workplace practices, adoption of identified facilitators, and education about the positive benefits of CMI as a tool to engage and empower patients.

A Comparative Exploration of Community Pharmacists’ Views on the Nature and Management of Over-the-Counter (OTC) and Prescription Codeine Misuse in Three Regulatory Regimes: Ireland, South Africa and the United Kingdom

“…Awareness of health literacy and lay definitions around use of over the counter medicines would appear to be key to a successful approach (Bjornsdottir, Almarsdottir et al 2009). This is alongside a tailored approach to provision of medicine information (written, verbal or combined) to particular groups of customers requesting codeine (Hamrosi, Raynor et al 2013;Hamrosi, Raynor et al 2014). In this context the community pharmacy is a trusted source of consumer advice and information around safe and appropriate use of medicines (Wazaify, Shields et al 2005;French and James 2008) and would need to play a central role in information giving to users at point of dispensing.…”

“…et al 2002;Cooper 2011;Reed, Bond et al 2011;Cooper 2013a;Cooper 2013c). Pharmacists' roles are not only to act as 'custodian of medicines', but also encompass a range of services including health screening, referral and customer support which, in the case of OTC codeine, centres on customer information, therapeutic need through screening and decisions to supply the requested codeine product relating to suspected misuse (Le Roux 2013;Hamrosi, Raynor et al 2014). …”

Misuse of non-prescription codeine containing products: Recommendations for detection and reduction of risk in community pharmacies

“…Initiatives to raise public awareness around safe use of codeine are warranted . Medicine information, whether verbal, written or a combination is important to consumers, and requires a tailored approach particular to specific pharmacy customers' information needs (Hamrosi, Raynor, & Aslani, 2013;Hamrosi, Raynor, & Aslani, 2014). Pharmacists are encouraged to be aware of lay definitions and health literacy in patient discussions around OTC medicines (Bjö rnsdó ttir, Almarsdó ttir, & Traulsen, 2009).…”

Graphical content of medicinal package inserts: an exploratory study to evaluate potential legibility issues

“…Users' awareness of health information materials and their reaction patterns, such as satisfaction, reassurance or worry, as well as their ability to use this information (i.e. self‐efficacy) vary not only between individuals but also when the readability and design characteristics of these materials are concerned . This is specifically relevant for the low‐literate patients, since those with limited comprehension of health materials are more likely to experience poor health related outcomes, including fatalities …”