Awareness about prescribed drugs among patients attending Out-patient departments

BACKGROUND: Communication skills play an important role in establishing doctor-patient relationship is widely recognized throughout the world. The information passed on to the patients affects the treatment outcomes. OBJECTIVES: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the level of awareness among OPD patients about prescribed drugs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of two hundred sixty four patients having a valid prescription from a doctor practicing in allopathic system, visiting 4 different chemist shops in a North Indian city were enrolled in the study. All the enrolled patients were given a preformed questionnaire to be answered on the spot. RESULTS: It was found that though a considerable number of patients were aware about the therapeutic effects of the drugs and the manner of administration of the medicines; they lacked information regarding the side effects, warnings and the information their doctor may require at the next consultation. CONCLUSION: The study highlighted the fact that doctors need to spend more time with the patients to make them active participants in the drug therapy.