Adopting Health Literacy Best Practices Through Systems Change to Improve Medication Directions and Adherence
by Bhumi Khambholja, PharmD, MS, Stan Hudson, MA, Michele Erikson, George E. MacKinnon III, PhD, MS, Kenneth G. Schellhase, MD, MPH
"Gaps in communication and misinterpretation of medication directions can cause medication errors by patients and caregivers that can lead to poor adherence. Health systems should adopt universal health literacy precautions to improve how medication information is communicated for patient engagement. Wisconsin Health Literacy and its academic partners at the Medical College of Wisconsin are working to improve the use of clear and explicit directions by prescribers through systems change and adoption of Universal Medication Schedule directions. Currently, there has not been widespread implementation of Universal Medication Schedule directions, and a multi-disciplinary approach is required. Implementation of Universal Medication Schedule directions as a standard should be part of the model to address poor adherence and patient safety, and improve chronic disease management."
Keywords: Pharmacists, Health Literacy, Comprehension, Patient Participation, Language, Electronic Prescribing, Limited English Proficiency, Medication Review, Secondary Prevention, Universal Precautions, Disease Management, Hospitalization, Emergency Service, Hospital, Overtreatment, Health Status, Pain
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2022 July/August Table of Contents
"Gaps in communication and misinterpretation of medication directions can cause medication errors by patients and caregivers that can lead to poor adherence. Health systems should adopt universal health literacy precautions to improve how medication information is communicated for patient engagement. Wisconsin Health Literacy and its academic partners at the Medical College of Wisconsin are working to improve the use of clear and explicit directions by prescribers through systems change and adoption of Universal Medication Schedule directions. Currently, there has not been widespread implementation of Universal Medication Schedule directions, and a multi-disciplinary approach is required. Implementation of Universal Medication Schedule directions as a standard should be part of the model to address poor adherence and patient safety, and improve chronic disease management."
Keywords: Pharmacists, Health Literacy, Comprehension, Patient Participation, Language, Electronic Prescribing, Limited English Proficiency, Medication Review, Secondary Prevention, Universal Precautions, Disease Management, Hospitalization, Emergency Service, Hospital, Overtreatment, Health Status, Pain
Download PDF
2022 July/August Table of Contents