Communication during encounters about medication switching: Self-reported experiences of pharmacy technicians and patients.

Explor Res Clin Soc Pharm

Division of Pharmacoepidemiology & Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, the Netherlands.

Published: March 2023

AI Article Synopsis

  • Pharmacy technicians (PTs) often face challenges in communicating with patients during medication switches, which can lead to negative emotions for patients. Effective and empathetic communication is crucial in these situations.
  • A study involving 138 PTs and 4679 patients revealed that patients commonly seek specific information about the reason for their medication switch and the expected effects, yet many do not receive this information adequately.
  • While PTs believe they provide sufficient communication, discrepancies exist in patient experiences, highlighting the need for improved verbal and written information to better meet patient preferences during medication transitions.

Article Abstract

Background: During conversations about medication switches, pharmacy staff often deliver a message to patients that may lead to negative emotions. In these situations, clear and patient-centered communication is important.

Aim: To gain insight into pharmacy technician-patient experiences regarding the communication during medication switching encounters, and in specific to map the needs and preferences of patients and whether pharmacy technicians (PTs) meet these.

Method: PTs were invited to fill in a questionnaire via the Dutch Panel on practical research for Pharmacy Employees. Online questionnaires were distributed to adult chronic mediation users in two patient panels. Questionnaires contained questions on how PTs and patients experience the medication switch conversations at the moment (i.e. type of information patients need/receive, timing of information, channel, communication style), and whether the needs and preferences of patients are met.

Results: In total, 138 PTs and 4679 patients responded. PTs indicated that they regularly struggle with these conversations due to emotional or negative responses of patients. Most patients expressed the need for information about why the medication switch took place (68%) and about the (same) effect of the medication (61%), while fewer patients currently receive this information (21% and 39%, respectively). Patients also indicated they need verbal information during pick-up/delivery (45%), written information beforehand (29%) and during pick-up/delivery (25%), while patients more often receive verbal information during pick-up (58%), and less frequently receive written information beforehand (6%) and during pick-up/delivery (18%).

Conclusion: Communication during medication switch conversations generally goes well. However, there is a difference between what PTs claim they do and what patients experience, e.g. space for questions and patients' satisfaction about this aspect. Dealing with patient emotions is also difficult for PTs. Patients emphasize they need more information than they currently receive, preferably before switching. Matching these needs and preferences can improve patient-centered communication.

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Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10114223PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rcsop.2023.100259DOI Listing

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