Patients' satisfaction with information and experiences with counseling on cardiovascular medication received at the pharmacy.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the extent to which patients feel they have received enough information on cardiovascular drugs and experienced counseling at the pharmacy. In addition, to identify factors that are predictors for patient satisfaction with the information received.

METHODS

Fifteen community pharmacies participated. New and chronic users of cardiovascular medication received a questionnaire containing sociodemographic and health questions, a measure of satisfaction with information received (SIMS), beliefs about medication (BMQ), and frequency of pharmacy counseling.

RESULTS

Of the 578 respondents, 335 (58%) indicated to be unsatisfied with the information received on 3 or more SIMS items. Patients' age, beliefs about medication, duration of cardiovascular treatment and use of antithrombotics predicted patients' satisfaction with information received. Two-thirds of patients reported 'never' to have experienced 5 of 8 counseling activities at the pharmacy.

CONCLUSIONS

A considerable proportion of patients are unsatisfied with the information received on cardiovascular medication. The majority of patients have only received a limited scope of medication counseling at the pharmacy.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Information and counseling should be tailored to patients' needs and concerns about cardiovascular medication and the experience patients already have with treatment. Pharmacists could enhance their role in supporting patients using cardiovascular medication.