2. What do we need to know?  Details of drugs and medications  Frequency of administration  Compliance  Side- effects and allergies

3. Drugs and medications “ Are you taking any medication at the moment?” “ Which tablet do you take?” “do you know the strength of the tablet?” “ Do you use any over the counter remedies or herbal medicines?” “Do you take any health foods?” “ What other therapies do you have? Physiotherapy? Occupational therapy?

4. Frequency of administration  “ How many times a day do you take this?”  “How often do you take the tablet?”

5. Compliance  the act of taking medication on schedule or taking it as prescribed Patients may be compliant or non- compliant “ Do you always remember to take it? Are you taking your medication regularly?

6. Hospital stays ( average length of stay 4.2 days) In USA 12% of people don’t take their medication at all after they buy the prescription In Italy co-payment schemes have a negative result on compliance

7. age and race Economic status Medical costs Forgetfulness Treatment anxiety Misunderstanding Fear of dependence Length of treatment Complex treatment Unwanted side effects

8. Side- effects and allergies  “ Do you get any side- effects?”  “Do you have any allergies”  “Are you allergic to any drugs?” Yes? “ What symptoms do you get after taking it?” “ Have any medicines ever upset you?” What happened when you took the medication? When was this reaction? Have you taken the med since?

9. Put your patient at ease:- Greet the patient by name: “ Good morning Mrs. Brown”  Shake the patient's hand or rest hand on theirs if unwell  Ensure the patient is comfortable