European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

EFFECT OF PHARMACIST-PROVIDED HEALTH LITERACY FOR PATIENTS ON ORAL ANTICOAGULATION THERAPY

JOJU SEBASTIAN C.*, ALAN KURIAN, LISSA K. SUNNY, PRUDENCE A. RODRIGUES

ABSTRACT

Oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy using vitamin K antagonists is commonly used therapy for the prevention and treatment of various thromboembolic complications. It mainly aims to maintain the levels of anticoagulation capable of preventing thromboembolic events without increasing the risk of hemorrhagic complications. The main reason for the failure of the therapy is the unawareness of the patient regarding the medication. This study is thereby performed to assess the effect of pharmacist-provided health literacy through counseling and information booklet and the improvements in the knowledge and life style of the patient. OBJECTIVES  To develop and implement Oral anticoagulation booklet in the Cardiology department.  To assess the knowledge of OAC therapy among patients.  Identifying reasons for non-adherence to medication.  To detect drug related problems. Method: A total of 86 patients were studied which was divided randomly to control (55) and intervention(31) groups. Both groups were assessed for their knowledge using a questionnaire before and after the counseling to assess the knowledge gained. The patients in the intervention group were discharged with a booklet and both the groups were assessed for the knowledge retained after a period of time by the same questionnaire. Results: The study results showed that the patients gained knowledge after counseling and 14% more improvement of knowledge retention in intervention group (62%) than the control group. Conclusion: It is possible to conclude that the patients who had been educated by the pharmacist shown improvement in knowledge regarding the therapy. The intervention group who had been given „patient information booklet‟ had shown significant improvement in knowledge retention than the control group.

Keywords: Oral anti-coagulation, patient information booklet.