Self-administered Medications in Cardiovascular Ward: A study on Patients' Self-efficacy, knowledge and Satisfaction

Background: Self-efficacy of medication use and pharmaceutical knowledge are important factors for medical treatment completion. Aim: This study aimed to determine the effect of self-administration of medication program on pharmaceutical knowledge and satisfaction of patients with cardiovascular diseases. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 60 patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in Imam Reza hospital in Mashhad during 2018. Self-efficacy was examined using the standard scale of self-efficacy for appropriate medication use. Moreover, pharmaceutical knowledge was examined using the standard scale for the measurement of patients’ knowledge level before and after the intervention. Patients’ satisfaction with the medication use manner was also evaluated at the time of discharge from the hospital. Data were analyzed in SPSS software (Version 20). Results: According to the results, the mean ages of patients in the intervention and control groups were 40.9±8.6 and 44.4±8.5, respectively. In the pre-test, the self-efficacy and pharmaceutical knowledge scores obtained from independent t-tests and Mann-Whitney U test were homogeneous. However, self-efficacy scores in the post-test were 32.0±3.3 and 24.7±3.1 in the intervention and control groups, respectively. The mean satisfaction of patients with medication use manner was significantly higher in the intervention than that in the control group (P<0.001). Implications for Practice: The self-administration of medication program in qualified patients with CVD can improve medication use and pharmaceutical knowledge. Therefore, the application of these programs is suggested improving medication compliance.