Assessment of patient understanding of their conventional cardiac medicines and herbal prepared/derived products: preliminary survey and interviews with selected community-dwelling elderly patients in the Philippines

Abstract

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to identify the patterns of medication load, its medication burden, coordination of healthcare and patient’s understanding of their conventional cardiac medications and related herbal-derived preparations. Methods The study is a mixed-method both, quantitative and qualitative approach, which involved Filipino elderly patients (n=69) enrolled in the outpatient service of the National Center for Geriatric Health, Manila. Data were gathered through face-to-face surveys and interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used during data analysis. Thematic analysis was also used to emphasize patterns in the responses of the participants. Results Respondents were knowledgeable on the name (86.9%), visual characteristics (78.3%), and indication and administration of their medicine (88.4%). The frequency of their doctor’s information on the possible side effects of the medicines was noted. The almost negligible difference in the proportions of those who asserted during the information dissemination on the medication side effect by their doctors was observed (<10.5%). Association on the age and awareness of any interaction on the drugs they are taking (p=0.032) and an association between the gender and awareness of the doctor/pharmacists about other drugs the patient is taking (p=0.033) were observed. During thematic analysis, elderly respondents were keen on the physician’s advice than that of the pharmacist. This is due to the limited knowledge of elderly patients on the role of pharmacists to conduct medication counseling. Conclusions The majority of the elderly patients recognized the purpose and extent of medication. It was noted that pharmacists play a limited role in understanding selected Filipino elderly patients on their medication. Lack of communication between the patient and the pharmacist was noted as preliminary findings in the study. Respondents were not yet informed of the responsibility of the pharmacist to provide information regarding their medication. Integration of pharmacists’ care for geriatric health must be strengthened and highly recommended. Supervision by the healthcare professionals, particularly by the pharmacists, must be fully established.