Large Percentage of Americans Are Unable to Recall the Medicines They Take

Can you accurately recall what medications you are currently taking? If you are like a large percentage of Americans, you may not be able to. According to a new study, forty percent of patients cannot accurately recall what medications they are taking. Obviously, this poses a huge problem for both doctors and patients.

The study comes, oddly enough, during Health Literacy Month which is celebrated each October. Health literacy is defined as the ability to read and comprehend all health-related materials that are necessary to function as a patient. These materials include everything from prescription labels to appointment slips. Health literacy is crucial for patients. Many factors can impact health literacy including Limited English Proficiency, low educational skills, hearing difficulties, and others. It is the role of health care professionals to identify patients who may have low health literacy and to aid them in gaining a higher health literacy. Despite efforts by many health care professionals, there remains a large percentage of people who have low health literacy. That is why Health Literacy Month was established. It is a time to make people aware of health literacy. It is also a time to celebrate health literacy advocates.

In the study, researchers looked at 119 patients from three community centers in Grand Rapids, Michigan. All patients had high blood pressure and were asked to recall their blood pressure medications. Researchers then took the data and compared it to the information listed in the patients' medical charts. The researchers found that, overall, forty percent of patients did not accurately recall their medications. Patients with low health literacy were more likely to be unable to accurately name their medications. Sixty percent of those with health literacy misstated their medications compared to one-third of patients with adequate or high health literacy.

Although doctors are aware that some patients cannot accurately recall their medications, experts are stunned that the numbers in the study were so high. The study has shed some light on a very serious problem. It is crucial that doctors be accurately informed when it comes to the medications their patients are taking. Otherwise, there can be serious consequences including drug interactions and even death. While doctors can usually look at a patients chart to get accurate information, charts are not always available (e.g. in the emergency room). Even when charts are available, they are not always accurate. They do not usually include over-the-counter drugs and only include what the doctor has ordered. If a patient is not following doctors orders, there is no way of knowing the accurate information unless the patient discloses it.

Obviously, health literacy needs to be improved in many patients. The study only magnifies the importance of Health Literacy Month. As a patient, there are many things you can do to improve health literacy. Most importantly, ask questions and continue to ask until you have answers you can understand. When it comes to your medications, if you have problems remembering their names, bring them with you to doctor's appointments and hospital visits. Another solution is to write them down on a piece of paper that you carry with you. If you have problems doing this, have someone help you. Make sure to include the dosage and how often you take it. Also, make sure the list is updated every time there is a change. Although it may seem like an inconvenience, it is extremely important that your doctors know what medications you are taking. After all, your health is at stake.

Source

Reuters