Original Research Article
Year: 2018 | Month: October-December | Volume: 3 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 158-165
Impact of Counseling on Patient Caretaker’s Knowledge and Medication Adherence to Paediatric Antiepileptic Drug Therapy
Jinil A.L1, Bharathi D R2, Nataraj G.R3, Merin Daniel4
1Pharm D Intern, SJM College of Pharmacy, Chitradurga-577502,
2Professor, SJM College of pharmacy,Chitradurga,577502
3Asst. Professor, Department of Pharmacology, SJM College of Pharmacy, Chitradurga.577502.
4Pharm D Intern, SJM College of Pharmacy, Chitradurga-577502.
Corresponding Author: Jinil A.L
ABSTRACT
Background: Medication adherence is defined by the World Health Organization as "the degree to which the person’s behavior corresponds with the agreed recommendations from a health care provider”. Poor adherence is considered a critical barrier to treatment success and remains one of the leading challenges to healthcare professionals. Adherence to antiepileptic drugs may be improved by using a number of interventions such as patient counseling, recording of medication intake and seizures, and mail reminders to refill the prescription and attend clinic appointments.
Objectives: To evaluate the impact of counseling on patient caretaker’s knowledge and adherence to paediatric anti-epileptic drug therapy
Methodology: A prospective interventional study was carried out for a period of six months in department of paediatrics in Basaveshwara Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Chitradurga.
Results: Total 66 patients were enrolled for the study, among them 34 were female and 32 were male patients. Majority of the patients falls between the age group of 1-5 years. In the first visit majority of patients were low adherent, after follow up it has been improved to moderate adherence and compliance. The medication adherence of the patients was improved after providing structured counselling along with specially designed patient information leaflet.
Conclusion: This study concludes that pharmacist provided patient education found to have positive impact on caretaker’s knowledge on epilepsy and use of antiepileptic drugs. This may lead to better compliance and empowers caretakers to provide better patient care.
Keywords: Medication adherence, Anti-epileptic drugs.