190 likes | 329 Views
Need 2-3 volunteers. Be MedWise Arkansas. A health literacy awareness Initiative Partnership with: NCPIE Collaborators UAMS School of Pharmacy and College of Medicine SHIIP. Others Alzheimer’s Foundation DHS Arkansas Health Literacy Council. What is “health literacy”?.
E N D
Be MedWise Arkansas • A health literacy awareness Initiative • Partnership with: • NCPIE • Collaborators • UAMS School of Pharmacy and College of Medicine • SHIIP • Others • Alzheimer’s Foundation • DHS • Arkansas Health Literacy Council
What is “health literacy”? The degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. Healthy People 2010 US Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
Translation:Meds • The ability to know: • Which pain reliever can I take? • Tylenol • Ibuprofen • Aleve • Why is my generic/name brand giving me hives? • When should I approach my pharmacist with questions?
Translation:Doc visit • How should I prepare before my doctor’s visit? • Is it OK if my husband is with me in the examination room?
Translation: Caregiving • I care for my granddaughter during the day and she’s running a fever and has the sniffles. Should I give her tylenol or ibuprofen or a cold medicine? • HELP! I can’t find the measuring cup.
Why is health literacy important? • Reduces • risk for being hurt • medical errors • healthcare burden • risk for legal issues • $$$$$$$$$$$ • Empowers YOU • Improves self-care • Improves screening
Are you health literate? • 75 million adults have basic or below basic health literacy skills • Most people have intermediate skills • Adults 65+ are most at risk of poor health literacy
Did you know? • 100,000+ meds on the market • 1,000+ active ingredients • Today’s OTC=Yesterday’s prescriptions NCPIE: Surgeon General Carmona’s “Prescription for health”
Be MedWise Arkansas Now and future
Using Medicines Wisely • Purpose • What’s a medication? • Prescription vs OTC • How to read a drug label • Ibuprofen or Acetominphen • Activities include hands-on examples • Volunteer Leader Training Guide available • Encourage presence of pharmacists
What have we found so far? • Avg age=62 (22-90) • 81% have taken an OTC in the last 2 weeks • Most common reason: pain • 75% are taking prescription meds • ~70% are taking both
What have we found so far? Before the lesson • 39% read entire label • 28% take higher doses After the lesson • 99% understand the importance of reading the whole label • 84% intend to read whole label (14% sometimes) • 98% correct dose important • 97% intend to use 1 technique
Most important things learned • Read entire label • Be careful about mixing medicines • What is a medicine? • Use pharmacist for questions • Just be more careful!
What else do we need to know? • How has this lesson helped you change how you use your medicines?
How to talk to your doctor • How to be prepared for doctor’s visits • What questions to ask your physician • Patient’s rights and responsibilities • Who’s your health care team?
Future of Be MedWise • Goals to expand and grow into a program • Provide information and resources via website • i.e.,drug checker • Future topics: • Drug interactions • Proper drug disposal • Medication administration for caregivers • Herbs and supplements • Prescription drug abuse