One in Five Have Problems With Prescriptions

A recent study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine finds that many patients are suffering from the side effects of prescription drugs.

It is estimated the three out of four patients visiting a medical doctor will leave with a prescription drug. The study sought to find out how many of those patients were suffering from side effects and found the number to be nearly one in five. Despite the problems, reports of the side effects were not found in the patient’s medical records.

While the study found that 18% of patients using prescription drugs reported a drug complication, medical records only revealed 3% as having an adverse drug event pointing out an apparent problem with doctor-patient communication.

According to the study, patients who reported side effects from drugs were significantly less satisfied with their overall quality of care, especially if their medical doctor had failed to discuss potential drug complications with them. Medical Doctors reportedly often take side effects for granted and may underestimate the impact drug complications have on a patient’s quality of life.

The report suggests that patient education regarding the side effects of drugs is a worthwhile effort. We would recommend that patient education concerning the use of any drugs is also a worthwhile effort.

SOURCE: Journal of General Internal Medicine 2000