The EAHP Board, elected for three-year terms, oversees the association’s activities. Comprising directors responsible for core functions, it meets regularly to implement strategic goals. Supported by EAHP staff, the Board controls finances, coordinates congress organization, and ensures compliance with statutes and codes of conduct.
Development of My Medication Plan involving Patient Representatives as Co-designers
European Statement
Clinical Pharmacy Services
Why was it done?
Despite numerous attempts to improve medication information, patients express a need for more information about their drug treatment after discharge from hospital. A consequence of missing information could be unintentional non-adherence or adverse drug events. In Denmark, the electronic Shared Medication Record (SMR) lists the patients’ current drug treatment, but further relevant patient requested information is needed to support patients.
What was done?
A booklet called My Medication Plan was developed as a tool to assist patients in managing their medication treatment. The Design Thinking Framework was applied as a model for involving patient representatives in the development as co-designers.
How was it done?
Three patient representatives from Hospital Sønderjylland participated during two group sessions with the purpose of generating ideas and designs for the My Medication Plan. Brainstorming was applied as an idea generating technique, since it is easy to use and effective in generating ideas in a short time. The ideas from the first session were used as inspiration for six prototypes of the booklet, which were presented and discussed at the second session. The final edition of the My Medication Plan was prepared based on this input.
What has been achieved?
The patient representatives stressed a need for specific instructions about the drugs’ application, boxes to note over-the-counter medication, dietary supplements and herbal remedies, as well as appointments with healthcare professionals to be a part of My Medication Plan. Additionally, free-text space for notes and questions about medication was requested. A non-electronic tool was specifically preferred because patients would have something to look at and write in meanwhile discussion medication changes and appointments. Furthermore, it could also provide relatives the opportunity to seek information about agreements made. According to the patient representatives, the final tool should include a print of the SMR and predefined pages including a glossary of medical terms. The developed tool, My Medication Plan, contains the requested information in an interchangeable design with a print of the SMR and the predefined papers added into plastic sleeves.
What next?
After developing the My Medication Plan, the next step is to use and test the effect of using the tool in relation to a sector transition intervention conducted as a randomised controlled trial.