[Testing of a simple information program to improve elderly patients' knowledge about their medication].

The programme, which was provided as a supplement to the standard information on the patient's medication upon discharge from hospital, consisted of oral information about which drugs to use and how to take them, a medication card, and one page of general information on how to take drugs. The programme was tested in an open, controlled manner in 24 test and 23 control patients, mean age 80 years. The results revealed that the patients' knowledge about their medication was generally good at follow-up four weeks later. The test group achieved a significantly higher score on questions about the technique for taking oral medication and why this is important. It is concluded that this type of information should be supplied when elderly patients are discharged from hospital.