Med Ed : Making sense of medication
A reflective exercise… In your practice: Do you work with youth who take medications? Do you feel that youth have enough information about their medications? Are you asked to find information about medications for your clients?
Todays presentation Background and context Resource development Description Using Med Ed Training Evaluation Next steps
Background and context Youth taking psychotropic medications often do not know enough about these medications Youth-oriented materials are very hard to find Most resources dont work to promote dialogue between youth, caregivers, and health providers
Resource Development
The team Developers 2 pharmacists (Drs. Andrea Murphy and David Gardner) 1 psychiatrist (Dr. Stan Kutcher) Partners The Provincial Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health at CHEO (Drs. Ian Manion and Simon Davidson)
Other key people Youth with mental illnesses Clinicians Graphic designer Plain language consultant Expert review panel (Ontario) Legal consultation Stakeholder feedback Basic booklet template
Developing the content 1.Order of information 2.Style (font, size, graphics) 3.Medicaleze 4.Illustrations 5.Written at a grade 6 level 6.Concise, bulleted format 7.Consistent design and information
Description of Med Ed
The booklet Content rich Three main sections: Frequently asked questions (FAQs) Tools and checklists Glossary
The passport Portable, concealable Full of tools A companion to the booklet Abbreviated sections FAQs Checklists
Med Ed Content
Contact information
General information and disclaimers
Legal rights regarding meds in Ontario Q: What information should be provided to me about my treatment? Q: I consented to treatment, but now Ive changed my mind. What should I do?
FAQs Q: How long do I need to take this medication? Q: Will taking this medication affect my relationship with my boyfriend/girlfriend? Q: Everyone keeps talking about side effects – what are they?
Med Ed information boxes
Table of medications Classes of drugs Anti-anxiety and sleep medications Common group names Benzodiazapines Antihistamines Antidepressants Common examples Generic name Trade name
Side effects
Med Ed Tools
Checklists Designed to support communication between clients and care providers Lists questions to ask prescriber and pharmacist Includes space to make notes
Checklist Doc What is this medication for? Should I avoid any foods or alcohol? What are my other treatment options? What should I do if I have an emergency?
Trackers
Also includes… Medication list Appointments Notes page Glossary
Med Ed Passport Includes: FAQs Tools Trackers Medication list Appointments
Med Ed Training Train-the-trainer model 19 trained Champions from across the province in a range of roles, mostly in residential treatment facilities Champions are currently providing training within their organizations Ongoing support is provided to Champions via web portal and regular teleconferences
Med Ed evaluation Focus Effectiveness of training, utility of tool for end- users Sources Champions, trained service providers, end-users (youth and caregivers) Methods Questionnaires, telephone interviews
Preliminary findings related to training NMean (/6) The Med-Ed tool is easy to learn It is easy to use It is useful for decision-making for children and youth on psychotropic medications I can find the time to disseminate the Med-Ed tools It is too much trouble to apply It is consistent with other initiatives in our organization
Preliminary findings related to the tool A good resource to help clients take ownership of their treatment… Just a great way to engage kids in their health care… This is a great idea and instrument with many possibilities… …very informative for my every day administering of meds…(helps me to) recognize my need to do more reviews on clients' meds…
Evaluation next steps Continue to analyze data from new round of champions and the service providers they train. Conduct and analyze semi-structured interviews with service providers, parents/caregivers, and youth.
Med Ed in your practice setting Just because Med Ed is available doesnt mean it will be used A number of variables influence whether or not health care innovations are adopted
Small group exercise What factors may influence the uptake of Med Ed in your practice setting? What are the barriers? What are the facilitators? What strategies can be used to overcome barriers and capitalize on facilitators?
Next steps… Continued evaluation Second round of Champion training Planning for future dissemination
Purnima Sundar, PhD Research and Knowledge Exchange Consultant ext For more information: