Assessment of the effect of the down-referral chronic medication distribution system on patients' adherence to chronic medication in the Buffalo City sub-district
- Authors: Ndwandwe, Miriam
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Health services accessibility Pharmacology Patient compliance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPH
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13248 , vital:39626
- Description: The purpose of the study is to determine the effect of the down referral chronic medication distribution system on patient's adherence to chronic medicine in Buffalo City sub - district by ensuring that chronic patients receive their correct medication on time and in correct quantities every month so that they can take the medication as recommended by the health professional. Adherence to chronic medication lead to better health outcome and reduced hospital re-admission. A non-experimental and descriptive quantitative research methodology was used. A data abstraction form developed by the researcher was used to record data from the medical records of chronically ill patients. The results of the study revealed that most of the chronically ill patients who were admitted to hospital were not adherent to their chronic medication. Patients are non-adherent even if they have chronic medication with them. This was evident in the number of patients who do not remember how many days did they not take their treatment. Others indicated that they share their medication with other family members who suffer from the same chronic condition. The patients' lack of understanding of their chronic condition and the consequences of not taking medication as instructed by the health professional contribute to non-adherence. Strengthening of health promotion programmes to educate the patients about their chronic condition would improve adherence. Most of the chronic conditions are life-style modifiable diseases. Patients must be educated about the changes they can make to improve their quality of life.
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- Date Issued: 2018
Impact analysis of a down-referral chronic medication distribution system for stable chronic patients to primary health care facilities in an Eastern Cape District
- Authors: Ndwandwe, Miriam
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Health services accessibility -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Pharmacology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10084 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020644
- Description: The purpose of the study was to assess the level of patient satisfaction with service provided in the Buffalo City sub-district following the implementation of the down-referral chronic medication distribution system between the tertiary(ELHC) and primary (clinics) levels of health care. The intervention was aimed at improving accessibility and availability of medication to the chronic patients. Research Design: A non-experimental descriptive quantitative research methodology was used. The sampling method for the study was the non-probability purposive sampling. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire that was given to respondents as they arrived at the facilities, and who, after completing the questionnaire, gave it back to the researcher. Findings: The results of the study revealed that the patients were generally satisfied about the down-referral chronic medication distribution system. However the patients were not satisfied about the services that they receive from the primary health care facilities when they go to collect their down-referred medication. Lack of communication to the patients regarding their medication by the hospital staff (pharmacists in particular) was a concern for patients. Conclusion: The down-referral chronic medication distribution system can benefit both the patients and the hospitals. Patient will receive their medication closer to their homes and save on the cost of transport. The hospital will have less patient congestion in the outpatient dispensaries and queues and waiting times will be reduced. Some strategies must be sought to improve the services at the primary health care facilities. The hospital should explore various communication methods to put into place, that will save pharmacists time and satisfy the needs of the patients. This would require the health services management from both the hospitals and the primary health care facilities to work together to ensure continued support for the patients.
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- Date Issued: 2014