Rights statement: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Fish R, Hatton C, Chauhan U. “Tell me what they do to my body”: A survey to find out what information people with learning disabilities want with their medications. Br J Learn Disabil. 2017;45:217–225. https://doi.org/10.1111/bld.12196 which has been published in final form at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bld.12196/abstract This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance With Wiley Terms and Conditions for self-archiving.
Accepted author manuscript, 838 KB, PDF document
Available under license: CC BY-NC: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Final published version
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
| <mark>Journal publication date</mark> | 09/2017 |
|---|---|
| <mark>Journal</mark> | British Journal of Learning Disabilities |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Volume | 45 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Pages (from-to) | 217-225 |
| Publication Status | Published |
| Early online date | 10/07/17 |
| <mark>Original language</mark> | English |
Accessible summary
We gave a questionnaire to self-advocates who were attending a conference. The questionnaire asked them how they felt about the information they get with their medicine.
Fifty-eight people completed the questionnaire. Many of them said they did not get enough information about their medicine. Most people wanted easy-read leaflets and pictures.
There are many different places to find easy-read information on the internet. We think they should be collected and checked. We also think that doctors and chemists need to spend more time with people to explain about medicines.
Abstract
Background: Previous research has found that people with learning disabilities are not given prescription information that is tailored to their needs. We wanted to find out people's information requirements.
Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was co-produced by the authors and consultants with learning disabilities. It asked what information people received from their GP and pharmacist about medications. The questionnaire was circulated at a self-advocacy conference in the North of England. Fifty-eight self-advocates completed the questionnaire.
Results: Information from GPs and pharmacists was mainly instructional, referring to when and how to take the medicine and dosage. Most respondents struggled to read the leaflets and remember verbal information. Many wanted the information in easy-read format, and some wanted pictures or diagrams as well. A key theme was that health professionals often talked only to carers or support workers rather than involving the patient directly, and some respondents disclosed that they were not informed about side effects or alternative medications.
Conclusions: Health professionals should take time to discuss health issues and medication with the individual rather than only with carers. This could be facilitated by providing information in an accessible format.