Providing information

Once the patient’s ideas, concerns, expectations and feelings about their discharge medicines have been identified, decisions can be made about what advice, information or action will help them. Topics for discussion could include:

• What are my new medicines for?
• What do my new medicines look like?
• How should I take them?
• When should I take them and how long for?
• Are there any side effects or risks?
• Do I need any blood tests or other check-ups?
• Who should I contact if I’m worried?
• Is it safe to take so many medicines together?
• Why have my medicines been stopped or changed?
• What should I do with the medicines I was taking before?

Using a systematic approach, and language that the patient will understand, can help in finding out what the patient already knows or perceives:

• Provide important information first
• ‘Chunk and check’ – provide information in manageable chunks, check for understanding and use the patient’s response as a guide to how to proceed
• Use visual methods of conveying information, such as leaflets and diagrams
• Discuss options and the potential outcomes of these
• Involve the patient in all decisions about their healthcare and provide them with the knowledge and confidence to take responsibility.