[Using Multiple Strategies to Improve Medication Cognition in Patients After Liver Transplantation].

Abstract

Background & problems: Patients with liver transplantation must take lifelong immunosuppressant medication to maintain the function of their hepatic graft. Based on clinical experience, we found that these patients were affected by both insufficient and remaining medication when they returned for outpatient service visits. After investigating the current situation, It was found that post-transplantation perceptions regarding medication were low in this patient group. After analysis, the identified causes of this included: (1) poor learning effect due to the interference from the multiple therapeutic catheter placement postoperatively; (2) delayed timing of assessing the awareness of information or perception of medication and lack of a post-operative follow-up mechanism; and (3) insufficient educational tools and materials for patients.

Purpose: This study was designed to increase medication awareness from the current average of 68.3% to >91% and to increase patient satisfaction with medication guidance from the current 63.0% to >85% in patients who had received liver transplantation.

Resolutions: The improvement strategy included: designing a health education sheet including related medication information and a daily medication record; designing a mnemonic, interactive video, or test to improve medication perception; creating measures associated with a monitor mechanism to assess medication knowledge.

Results: After strategy implementation, medication awareness increased from 68.3% to 92.5% and satisfaction with medication guidance increased from 63.0% to 87.2%.

Conclusions: The implementation of several strategies concurrently can enhance medication awareness in patients after liver transplantation and increase patient satisfaction with medication guidance.