Survey finds patients worry about drugs
Survey finds patients worry about drugs
Case managers might be surprised that a new study examining 10 common patient concerns about their health systems finds that the potential for medication mix-ups worries patients most, followed closely by fear of negative drug interactions and concern about high treatment costs.
Conducted by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) in Beth esda, MD, the study indicates that Americans have a high level of anxiety about health system visits and hospital stays. Researchers completed a phone survey of 1,000 adults 18 and older. Respondents reported being "very concerned" about these issues:
• 61%: receiving the wrong medication.
• 58%: being given two or more medications that interact in a negative way.
• 58%: the cost of treatment.
• 56%: complications from medical procedures.
• 50%: getting an infection.
• 49%: suffering from pain.
"With more and more sophisticated and powerful drugs entering the market today, patients are increasingly worried about the accuracy, safety, and appropriate monitoring of their medications to ensure the best outcomes," notes Bruce Scott, MS, president of ASHP.
Roughly 76% of respondents said that speaking with a pharmacist while in a hospital or during a health system visit would help ease their medication concerns. Yet, when asked to name professionals who work in hospitals or health systems, only 1% named pharmacists. Only 12% said they met with a pharmacist while a patient in a hospital.
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