Conhecimento dos pacientes de um hospital de ensino a respeito dos medicamentos prescritos na alta hospitalar

Abstract

Pharmacotherapy has always played an important role in prevention, maintenance and restoration of health. However, the inappropriate prescribing and use of medicines are causing serious public health problems, and rational use of medicines is needed. There is a consensus in the literature that informed patients are more likely to comply with treatment regimens. In the hospital context, the discharge is considered critical, since it involves the transition levels of the patient care. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of patients regarding medications prescribed at discharge in a teaching hospital. This is an exploratory study, a prospective cross-sectional, conducted at University Hospital of UFJF from September to December 2013. 107 patients or caregivers were interviewed at discharge and questionnaires were used to verify the knowledge about prescribing medicines and to investigate factors associated with this knowledge. Score (0-13 points) and their correspondence in three levels of knowledge was given: poor, regular and good. The average score was 9.66 points, which corresponds to a regular level of knowledge. Ten percent of respondents had insufficient levels, 58.9% regular and 30.8% good. The two highest accuracy rate was about the frequency of administration (94,4% agreement) and route of administration (97.2%). The two worst rates were for drug interactions (15.9%) and adverse events (29.0%). There was a statistically significant difference between mean scores based on race / color (self-declared) and polypharmacy. Despite being pleased with the guidelines provided, "precautions", "adverse effects" and "drug interactions" were the topics most in demand by respondents as the major orientations. It is inferred that the activities of education and health should be more present, contributing to a greater understanding of the patient. It is suggested that the ordered work and all the different health professionals, based on a dialogue with the patient, preparing it since the first day of admission to discharge. In this context, the pharmacist should be asked to participate in hospital discharge planning, integrating multidisciplinary health care team to the patient and providing all information necessary for the safe and rational use of medicines.