What are our patients taking? Do simple instructions help us to find out?

In 1989, a survey was undertaken in Nottingham to see whether patients could be encouraged by an oral, or written and oral instruction, to bring all their medication with them to the medical clinic. The medication brought was then compared with the prescription in the hospital case notes. Patients attending a medical clinic were randomly allocated into three groups; the 'oral' group was asked to bring their medication to their next appointment; the 'written' group had this request emphasised in writing; and the 'controls' were given no instruction. Although there was statistically no significant difference between the oral and written group, they both brought more medications than the controls. The survey found discrepancies between the medication taken and that recorded in the case notes of 20% of patients. These findings suggest that an oral instruction reinforced by a written reminder produces greater patient co-operation and provides the means for validating prescribed medication.