Using postcards to increase patient provided information on medication use.

Abstract

Many elderly persons take medications that their physicians do not know about. The reasons include multiple prescribers, errors in prescriber records, and lack of patient-to-physician communication on medication use. This study assessed the use of mailed cues (postcards) to prompt elderly patients to bring all medications to physician office visits. Four family physician offices were studied; every other current elderly patient received a postcard reminder several days before an appointment. Of those receiving cards, 72% brought in medicines, compared to 8% of the controls.