[What do health care institutions do to inform the aged and train them in the correct use of drugs?].

We reviewed the routines for providing information on drugs, and for training in the use of drugs and aids to medication in hospital and nursing homes by interviewing 11 ward supervisors. We found that little attention was given to systematic training in the use of drugs, training and aids to medication as part of the patient rehabilitation. All wards informed the patients about the type and dosage of drugs to be taken after discharge. However, printed information from the Norwegian Medicines Control Authority was not used to any significant extent. Lack of time was stated as the major reason for not providing more systematic information and training on drug usage as part of the rehabilitation programme for elderly inpatients.