WHAT PATIENTS WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THEIR MEDICATION? : A SURVEY OF INPATIENTS AND OUTPATIENTS AT GONDAR UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Patients want and are seeking more information about drug and nondrug treatment options. While a great deal of patient information about medications, treatments, and diseases exists, much of it contains conflicting, inaccurate, poorly written, or non–evidence-based information. The objective of the study was thus, to assess what patients want to know about their medications at Gondar University Hospital. The study was conducted in Gondar University Hospital over 1 month period from March 1- 30, 2012.  Data was collected using convenience sampling technique from 384 respondents using structured questionnaire which consists of 40 items. All data collected were then analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), v19 software. In the study 238 (68%) male and 146(32%) female patients were included. From the total questions forwarded for the total population 165(43%) responded drug information as very relevant, 156(40.6%) responded drug information as relevant, 40(10.4%) responded drug information as somewhat relevant and 23(6%) answered drug information as not relevant. Concerning drug information source the result showed that 49%, 49% and 2% of the patients got drug information from pharmacists, doctors and nurses respectively. Physicians, pharmacists and other health professionals should provide both written and oral information with their medication in order to meet the need what patients want to know about their medication.