Medication reviews are an important method of critically examining a patient’s medicines in a structured way. It’s a chance to agree with a patient about their treatment and medication going forward, as well as to optimise the medication they take and minimise wastage.
These reviews are also about achieving the very best outcomes for your patient. They’re carried out by specific competent healthcare professionals, including GPs, nurses or pharmacists. The review is documented and appropriately READ-coded in the patient’s notes and the impact of any change is monitored. Reviews should be carried out at least once a year, although they may be more often depending on the patient’s needs.
Types of medication review
Different types of medication review will suit different patients needs more effectively. The types below are designed to focus on the purpose of the medication review and how reviews are integrated with the patient’s wider care.
Type 1: Prescription Review
The primary purpose of a prescription review is to identify practical medicines management issues that can improve patient outcomes and safety. It also looks at clinical cost-effectiveness.
Type 2: Concordance and compliance review
It’s essential that clinicians respect the patient’s beliefs about medicines, and that the patient feels their voice is being heard.
This type of review takes place with the patient, and/or the patient’s carer, allowing patients and practitioners to explore the patient’s medicine taking. This includes considering the patient’s beliefs about their medicine, as well as the actual pattern of medicine taking. It’s a key opportunity for patients to ask any questions or raise any concerns.
During a type 2 medication review, any practical barriers to medicine-taking will also be addressed.
Type 3: Clinical medication review
Most medication reviews are carried out at this level. It’s a very holistic review that involves looking regularly at the patient’s medical condition and treatments to ensure optimal management. Patients and/or carers can also give their own responses to their treatment, and if symptoms have changed or worsened then adjustments can be made.
This type of review also strongly emphasises ways in which the patient can self-manage, and to help them fully understand the pros and cons of each treatment option.
Finally, clinicians can use this opportunity to negotiate with the patient about their treatment decisions, and discuss how their prognosis relates to the medicines they’re taking.
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Infographic provided by The Emmes Company, a clinical research organization.
