ABSTRACT
<p>[Objectives] Visually impaired is assumed that the taking medicine is difficult. This study aimed to elucidate the actual status of using drugs as part of medication assistance for people with acquired visual disabilities. [Method] We conducted a questionnaire survey of 14 people with acquired visual disabilities who use the Fukuoka Welfare Center for the Disabled. [Results] The mean age of the subjects was 70.2 years. The reading method “voice” was the highest at 12 cases. Thirteen people (93%) managed their medications by themselves. Among medication-related problems, 10 were associated with “vision.” Regarding efforts in using drugs, 6 cases the efforts involved using “vision.” People who always carry around the medication notebooks was two people (14%). Three people (21%) had a family pharmacy. Among requests and dissatisfaction concerning medication notebooks, 8 cases citing dissatisfaction had factors attributable to “pharmacy’s actions.” [Discussion] From the fact that voice in the reading methods are most often used, as a means of communication of information to the acquired visual disabilities, it is considered a method using the sound is suitable. In order to resolve medication difficulties, pharmacies need to make efforts according to the remaining ability of each individual.</p>
ABSTRACT
<b>Objective: </b>To reveal the current use of medication notebooks in clinical practice and the differences in submission rates of medication notebooks among patients with different sociodemographic and medical characteristics.<br><b>Methods: </b>We conducted a survey of the submission rates by studying the medication history, from June 19, 2014, to July 3, 2014.<br><b>Results: </b>The overall submission rate of returning patients was 57.1% and the submission rate of patients who visit a single medical institution was significantly lower than patients who visit more than two (55.4% vs. 67.7%, <i>p</i><0.001). Multivariate logistic regression also indicated significant differences between the single and multiple medical institution visit group (adjusted OR=2.74 [95% CI: 1.93-3.89], <i>p</i><0.001). Submission rates for patients in their 20, 30, and 50 s who visit a single medical institution were lower than 40%.<br><b>Conclusions: </b>To improve the usefulness of the community pharmacy and increase the submission rate, we need to increase awareness of the importance of medication notebooks among patients who visit a single medical institution. Additionally, future studies need to focus on factors such as age-related issues that might affect submission rates.