EFFECTS OF DRUG COUNSELING AT HOME ON MEDICATION ADHERENCE AND SAFETY IN ELDERLY AT DONVIANGJUN COMMUNITY

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of drug counseling at home on medication adherence and medication safety in elderly. The study design was a one-group pretest-posttest experimental research. Data was collected by interviewing 33 elderly; aged ≥ 60 years with chronic disease and received drug items for chronic disease who lived in Donviangjun community. Each elderly would receive health advice, drug counseling and monitoring drug use at home by a pharmacist. They visited elderly at home at least 2 times per person (45-90 minutes/visit). Data collection will run in January to February 2016. The study results revealed that 33 elderly aged 68.7±6.6 years. Most of personal chronic diseases were hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia. 36.4% of them take drug ≥ 5 items per day (poly-pharmacy). 13 items were the high-risk drugs for elderly, most use was NSAIDs. Elderly showed medication adherence significant improvement, increased 27.3% (pre-test 63.6% and post-test 90.9%, p=0.004). There was no adverse drug event and herb-drug interaction along 2-month monitoring; however, six elderly received aspirin and enalapril. These showed high severity of drug-drug interaction. Concurrent use of aspirin and enalapril may increase the efficacy of enalapril. This interaction reduced vasodilation and blood pressure effect, may affect to patient’s blood pressure control. For the patient’s satisfaction on drug –counseling at home, they were satisfied with the high score. This study concluded that drug counseling at home for elderly affects the improvement on medication adherence and safety. In addition, the elderly were satisfied on drug counseling in the good level. The elderly suggested that a follow-up their drug use at home by pharmacist should run continuously.