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Reducing Medication Problems among Minority Individuals with Low Socioeconomic Status through Pharmacist Home Visits.
Liang, Ya-Hui; Wang, Kai-Hsun; Huang, Hung-Meng; Shia, Ben-Chang; Chan, Shang-Yih; Ho, Chieh-Wen; Liu, Chih-Kuang; Chen, Mingchih.
  • Liang YH; Graduate Institute of Business Administration, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242062, Taiwan.
  • Wang KH; Taipei City Hospital Heping Fuyou Branch, Taipei 100058, Taiwan.
  • Huang HM; University of Taipei, Taipei 111036, Taiwan.
  • Shia BC; Graduate Institute of Business Administration, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242062, Taiwan.
  • Chan SY; Artificial Intelligence Development Center, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242062, Taiwan.
  • Ho CW; Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110301, Taiwan.
  • Liu CK; Department of Otolaryngology, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei 10341, Taiwan.
  • Chen M; Graduate Institute of Business Administration, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242062, Taiwan.
Int J Environ Res Public Health ; 19(7)2022 04 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1785650
ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION:

In this study, pharmacists conducted home visits for individuals of medically underserved populations in Taiwan (i.e., socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals, middle-aged or older adults, and individuals living alone, with dementia, or with disabilities) to understand their medication habits. We quantified medication problems among various groups and investigated whether the pharmacist home visits helped to reduce the medication problems. MATERIALS AND

METHODS:

From April 2016 to March 2019, pharmacists visited the homes of the aforementioned medically underserved individuals in Taipei to evaluate their drug-related problems and medication problems. Age, living alone, diagnoses of dementia or disabilities, and socioeconomic disadvantages contributed significantly to inadequate disease and medical treatment knowledge and self-care skills as well as lifestyle inappropriateness among patients. The patients who were living alone and socioeconomically disadvantaged stored their drugs in inappropriate environments.

RESULTS:

After the pharmacists visited the patients' homes twice, the patients improved considerably in their disease and medical treatment knowledge, self-care skills, and lifestyles (p < 0.001). Problems related to the uninstructed reduction or discontinuation of drug use (p < 0.05) and use of expired drugs (p < 0.001) were also mitigated substantially. DISCUSSION AND

CONCLUSION:

Through the home visits, the pharmacists came to fully understand the medicine (including Chinese medicine) and health food usage behaviors of the patients and their lifestyles, enabling them to provide thorough health education. After the pharmacists' home visits, the patients' drug-related problems were mitigated, and their knowledge of diseases, drug compliance, and drug storage methods and environments improved, reducing drug waste. Our findings can help policymakers address the medication problems of various medically underserved groups, thereby improving the utilization of limited medical resources.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pharmacists / Dementia Type of study: Experimental Studies / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Topics: Traditional medicine Limits: Aged / Humans / Middle aged Language: English Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Ijerph19074234

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pharmacists / Dementia Type of study: Experimental Studies / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Topics: Traditional medicine Limits: Aged / Humans / Middle aged Language: English Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Ijerph19074234