244082 Communicating about medications: Perceptions of racial/ethnically diverse community dwelling older adults

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Christine Motzkus-Feagans, MPH , Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Selamawit Girma, BS , Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Roberta Goldman, PhD , Center for Primary Care and Prevention, Brown University, Pawtucket, RI
Brian Quilliam, PhD , Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Rhode Island, College of Pharmacy, Kingston, RI
Anne L. Hume, PharmD, FCCP, BC , College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
Charles B. Eaton, MD , Center for Primary Care and Prevention, Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, Pawtucket, RI
Kate L. Lapane, PhD , Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Objective: To investigate a racially/ethnically diverse sample of low-income older adults' perceptions of communication with their physicians regarding medications.

Design: Telephone surveys

Participants: 330 telephone survey respondents (English and Spanish speaking)

Methods: Three sampling frames were used to reach low income white, black, and Spanish speaking elders, based on a listed sample merged with census data to conduct random digit dial telephone surveys using Computer Aided Telephone Interviewing. The survey instrument captured information regarding medication habits with their doctor, such as taking a medication list to the doctor, and also captured information about conversations between patients and doctors, such as frequency of doctors explaining medications to patients.

Results: Medication habits and communication about medications between physicians and patients varied by racial and ethnic group. 56.4% of Latinos reported always taking medications to doctor's visits, compared to 51.2% of non-Latino whites, and 44.2% of non-Latino blacks. Among those reporting always taking medications to doctor's visits, 65.3% of Latinos reported going over medications with the doctor at every visit, but only 50.0% of non-Latino blacks and 52.3% of non-Latino whites reported the same behavior.

Conclusion: Differences in patient perceptions of clinical encounters by race/ethnicity may call for improved communications regarding medication issues between elderly patients' and their physicians.

Learning Areas:
Communication and informatics

Learning Objectives:
To describe differences in medication habits and communication about medications between physicians and patients across racial and ethnic groups

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Christine Motzkus-Feagans has a Masters degree in epidemiology and experience conducting research in older populations.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Health Care For Special Population and Special Circumstances
See more of: Aging & Public Health