Polypharmacy simulation and pharmacotherapy perceptions among students from a university in Ceará: a pilot study

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Given the high prevalence of polypharmacy patients, it is paramount that they be handled with an effective therapeutic alliance and with safe and feasible treatments. Empathy towards the patient is essential, and the lack of prescriber experience may hamper such bond. Objectives: This study simulates a polypharmacy regimen among medical students, aiming to promote reflections about the daily challenges faced by patients. Methods: It is a prospective study in a single, non-blind group. The participants were medical students and residents from our institution, all of whom followed a 7-day placebo prescription. They answered questionnaires on their perceptions of medication adherence and concordance before and after the simulation. Results: twenty-eight volunteers participated, 27 of which (96.4%) forgot to take at least one pill during the experiment. Among the lower undergraduates, 28.57% interrupted at least one medication. As for the higher undergraduates and residents, this happened with 71.43% of them. There were more adherence failures than predicted by the participants themselves. In realistic dosages, levothyroxine, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and metformin were the drugs reported to be the most difficult. 96% of the volunteers strongly agreed that doctor and patient’s agreement regarding the treatment correlates with good adherence. Conclusion: Understanding the factors that affect adherence and how to handle them is essential for a doctor, as well as a good bond with the patient. The teaching of these abilities is very necessary. Further studies are needed to reach more undergraduate students and to highlight the relevance of simulations in the medical education setting.

Keywords

• Polypharmacy
• Treatment Adherence and Concordance
• Simulation
• Medical Education