Polly Who?

[mycrofft]

With us Boomers crashing on the PHEMS scene like combers on the beach, and the constant din of pharmacology companies selling us to ask our docs about their wares, are you seeing more cases of polypharmacy? Inadvertent additive effects? Chronic use of drug B (and its side effete) to counteract the side effects of drug A? (Also, we shop doctors or go from ER to ER for care).

Especially institutionalized individuals, like nursing homes, board and care, or the elderly living alone.

 

[ghost02]

I see it with my father (62 yoa), he sees three different doctors, all with different specialties, but all relating to his condition (High blood pressure). One doc gives a medication, another gives a different one, the other doesn't like either so he gives a test. All in all, he takes many different medications, but they are all supposed to treat the condition that has yet to improve. As I am told, each medication treats a different aspect of his condition, but they all seem to counter-indicate each other.

 

[Akulahawk]

I've been seeing polypharm issues from time to time since I became more acutely aware of the problem a little over 12 years ago. At that time, it was much more common in the SNF resident. Probably quite a few of our transports to the ED / acute care facility was for evaluation because of polypharm. I don't know how many people were really looking for it at the time though... It's certainly become more of an issue these past few years though. That's a good thing. The more people know, the more people are going to question the possible med interactions.

 

[Bullets]

I see it more often, patients who hand me a list on an 8x10 and have no idea why they take them. But i think the greater issue is the lack of education patients recieve regarding the medications. We are seeing an increase of patients whose CC is a known side effect of a new med or arent taking them correctly. Very disturbing that Docs arent educating people

 

[Carlos Danger]

I see it more often, patients who hand me a list on an 8x10 and have no idea why they take them. But i think the greater issue is the lack of education patients recieve regarding the medications. We are seeing an increase of patients whose CC is a known side effect of a new med or arent taking them correctly. Very disturbing that Docs arent educating people

Really, whose fault is it if, as a patient, you are taking a medication with no idea what it is for or what the effects are supposed to be? Is it really plausible that the med was not discussed at all with the doctor or the pharmacist?

No question that docs tend to be very busy, and as a result office visits these days are brief, and that some patients would probably benefit from more time and coaching from their primary care provider. But I doubt there are very many docs who prescribe meds with no discussion or explanation at all, or very many pharmacists who refuse to answer questions about the meds they are dispensing. Every individual has a responsibility for their own health.

 

[Masenko]

Really, whose fault is it if, as a patient, you are taking a medication with no idea what it is for or what the effects are supposed to be? Is it really plausible that the med was not discussed at all with the doctor or the pharmacist?

No question that docs tend to be very busy, and as a result office visits these days are brief, and that some patients would probably benefit from more time and coaching from their primary care provider. But I doubt there are very many docs who prescribe meds with no discussion or explanation at all, or very many pharmacists who refuse to answer questions about the meds they are dispensing. Every individual has a responsibility for their own health.

Well to give you some perspective I recently went to the doctor to get some new medication. The only discussion or explanation provided was a 25 page (front and back ) packet about the medication and all its side effects and some information about my condition. I also got some convenient coupons. The pharmacy didn't help me learn about my medication either. It seemed like they just wanted me to buy it and get out of there. I've seen more politeness and information provided by college drug dealers.
Fortunately I'm literate and conscious (somewhat) of my health, and I actually read my packet. But how many people in the US can say the same? If most PCPs depend on the average US citizen to inform themselves about their medication and conditions they will be disappointed.
I guess I'm saying that yes it is partially the patient's fault if they don't accept responsibility, but what did you expect? Especially if every doctor's office is like mine, and expects their patients to read (terrible I know) instead of sitting down for a few minutes and having an informative discussion. There is laziness on both sides here.

 

[AtlasFlyer]

My mom takes her mom (my grandma, age 93) to her doctor's visits. Every visit she's asked "What medications do you take?" then they look at their computer screen in disbelief and ask her twice when she says "An aspirin". That a 93-year old takes an aspirin a day and that's IT is completely astounding to them.

Kinda sad...

 

[Carlos Danger]

Well to give you some perspective I recently went to the doctor to get some new medication. The only discussion or explanation provided was a 25 page (front and back ) packet about the medication and all its side effects and some information about my condition. I also got some convenient coupons. The pharmacy didn't help me learn about my medication either. It seemed like they just wanted me to buy it and get out of there. I've seen more politeness and information provided by college drug dealers.

I can't understand why you'd keep going to a doctor and a pharmacist who treats you that way.

You probably wouldn't keep going to a restaurant where you were treated badly, and the costs and the stakes are both much higher with your health.

 

[VFlutter]

Very disturbing that Docs arent educating people

The vast majority of MDs in the inpatient setting do not provider education on new medications. It is usually the Nurses responsibility. Specifically CMS is tracking patient education on new medications at discharge.