Health literacy and knowledge in a cohort of Australian patients taking warfarin
نویسندگان
چکیده
Objectives To 1) characterise older patients taking warfarin, 2) assess these patients' level of warfarin knowledge, and 3) describe their strengths and limitations in health literacy, and 4) explore relationships between participants' characteristics, warfarin knowledge and health literacy. Methods A warfarin knowledge questionnaire and Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) were administered to older patients (aged >65 years, N=34) taking warfarin in an Australian general practice setting. Results Key gaps in participant knowledge pertained to the consequences of an international normalized ratio (INR) being below the target INR range and safety issues such as when to seek medical attention. A limitation for participants with a lower level of health literacy was the ability to appraise health information. Patients who needed assistance in completing the HLQs had significantly lower warfarin knowledge scores (p=0.03). Overseas-born participants and those taking 5 or more long-term medications had lower HLQ scores for specific scales (p<0.05). Conclusion In this study warfarin knowledge gaps and a limitation of health literacy amongst a small sample of older patients were identified. The findings suggest that education and resources may need to be tailored to the needs of older patients taking warfarin and their carers to address these knowledge gaps and limitations in health literacy. Patients who may need greater support include those that need assistance in completing the HLQ, are overseas-born, or are taking 5 or more long-term medications.
منابع مشابه
Pharmacist’s Counselling Improves Patient Knowledge Regarding Warfarin, Irrespective of Health Literacy Level
To investigate the health literacy of the population and examine the change in knowledge when patients are administered a questionnaire about warfarin at different time points before and after counselling by a pharmacist. Patients were recruited over eight weeks, from May 2011, in a public hospital in Galway, Ireland. Inclusion criteria: (i) newly commenced on warfarin; (ii) 18 years or more; (...
متن کاملAssessment of Outpatients' Knowledge and Adherence on Warfarin: The Impact of a Simple Educational Pamphlet
Warfarin is a critical medication that is broadly used for the treatment and prevention ofthromboembolic disorders. Due to warfarin’s narrow therapeutic index, it is crucial that patientsfollow an appropriate dosage regimen. Patient knowledge is one of the most important factorsto safe and effective use of warfarin. Due to the obvious risks of anticoagulants administration,<br...
متن کاملAssessment of Outpatients' Knowledge and Adherence on Warfarin: The Impact of a Simple Educational Pamphlet
Warfarin is a critical medication that is broadly used for the treatment and prevention ofthromboembolic disorders. Due to warfarin’s narrow therapeutic index, it is crucial that patientsfollow an appropriate dosage regimen. Patient knowledge is one of the most important factorsto safe and effective use of warfarin. Due to the obvious risks of anticoagulants administration,<br...
متن کاملThe unrecognized psychosocial factors contributing to bleeding risk in warfarin therapy.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Warfarin is an effective drug for the prevention of thromboembolism in the elderly. The major risk for patients taking warfarin is bleeding. We aimed to assess the impact of psychosocial factors, including mood, cognition, social isolation, and health literacy on warfarin instability among community-based elderly patients. METHODS A case-control study was conducted betw...
متن کاملA role for pharmacists in community-based post-discharge warfarin management: protocol for the 'the role of community pharmacy in post hospital management of patients initiated on warfarin' study
BACKGROUND Shorter periods of hospitalisation and increasing warfarin use have placed stress on community-based healthcare services to care for patients taking warfarin after hospital discharge, a high-risk period for these patients. A previous randomised controlled trial demonstrated that a post-discharge service of 4 home visits and point-of-care (POC) International Normalised Ratio (INR) tes...
متن کامل