ssessment of Patient Counseling on Dispensing of Medicines in Outpatient Pharmacy of Tikur-Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background : Patients’ care when dispensing of Medicines couldbe ensured through the delivery of drug information either orallyor in written form. Pharmacists are expected to ascertain thatpatients or caregivers have gained clear and complete information.The objective of this study was to assess patient counseling duringdispensing of medicines and associated factors in Tikur-AnbessaSpecialized Hospital.Method: A cross sectional study was conducted to assess patients’counseling and a convenient sampling technique was employed toselect study participants. Data was collected using a structuredquestionnaire and observation checklist and, analyzed by usingSPSS version 20. Descriptive statistics and odds ratio were used topresent study results.Results: A total of 286 respondents were included in this study.Most (93.7%; 94.4%; 91%) of the respondents were told the drugunit dose, frequency of administration and duration of therapyrespectively. Less than a third of the patients received informationon drug-drug interactions, storage of medications and side -effects.None of the patients were told what to do on missed dose and, nonewere asked back to repeat their understanding. Three fourth of thepatients reported that they were satisfied with the counselingservices provided. Females were more likely to be satisfied thanmales whereas, level of education showed a negative associationwith pharmacist counseling services.Conclusion: Drug dose, frequency of administration and durationof therapy were the most frequently delivered information topatients. Gender and level of education have significant associationwith medication counseling service in the study setting.