The impact of UK Medicines Information services on patient care, clinical outcomes and medicines safety: an evaluation of healthcare professionals’ opinions

Abstract

Objectives To determine the impact of advice provided by Medicines Information services in National Health Service hospitals across England, Scotland and Wales, on patient care and clinical outcomes, and medicines safety. Methods All healthcare professionals seeking advice on specific patients from participating Medicines Information services were invited to complete an online questionnaire to determine the impact of that advice on their patients. A multidisciplinary expert panel of healthcare professionals independently assessed the impact of advice for a sample of enquiries using an impact rating scale. Results A total of 647 pharmacists, doctors and nurses sought advice from 62 Medicines Information services and completed questionnaires. Most (81%) needed Medicines Information advice before proceeding with their patients’ treatments, 99% used the advice in managing their patients, resulting in 92% (597/647) reporting a positive impact: a positive impact on patient care or outcome was reported for 85% of patients (547/647), a positive impact on medicines safety was reported for 77% of patients (499/647) and 15% of patients avoided a major risk (96/647). Agreement between enquirers and expert panel on impact was substantial for patient care and outcome (κ=0.62; p=0.001) and fair for medicines safety (κ=0.40; p=0.043). In 22% of cases (145/647), Medicines Information identified and advised on medicines issues that enquirers had not identified themselves which was associated with a positive impact on patients (p<0.01). Conclusions Clinical advice from Medicines Information services across the UK to healthcare professionals had high levels of positive impact on patient care, outcomes and medicines safety.

Impact of pharmacy medicine information service advice on clinician and patient outcomes: an overview

“…In the Bramley et al. () study, just under half (44%, n = 79) agreed that the MI advice played a part in their decision making process (Bramley et al., ), and this was also reflected in the Innes study (Innes et al., ). In the Rutter study, usefulness of MI advice was articulated by clinicians as empowering them to make decisions through increased confidence (Rutter et al., ).…”

“…Seven studies attempted to determine clinician opinion about the impact MI advice on patient care (Bertsche et al., ; Bramley et al., , ; Cardoni & Thompson, ; Innes, Bramley & Wills, ; Melnyk et al., ; Stubbington et al., ), although two studies were primarily user satisfaction surveys with supplementary question(s) about impact/patient outcomes (Bertsche et al., ; Frost Widnes & Schjøtt, ).…”

“…Leading on from the 2013 study, Innes et al., using the same methodology, completed a larger ( n = 1450) UK multi‐centre ( n = 62), study (Innes et al., ). Positive findings on the impact on patient care were reported and mirrored the Bramley 2013 study.…”

Letter: Where to find information about drugs

“…2 While it is important for individuals to know where and how to locate information, many may not possess the skills and knowledge to do so or have the time required to analyse, synthesise and construct a clinically relevant solution to a complex medical dilemma. 2 When the authors note that 'further detail may need to be sought' or 'references from these sources require critical appraisal', trained medicines information pharmacists may be extremely helpful. They are the people to turn to when health professionals are unable to find the information they need.…”

“…They are the people to turn to when health professionals are unable to find the information they need. 2 Telephone drug information services contribute to high-quality patient care and public health by promoting the quality use of medicines. They can be relied upon to provide accurate, current, unbiased, evidence-based therapeutic advice to healthcare professionals who may not have access to certain resources, or the necessary time or skills to use them to their best advantage.…”