Assisting patients and carers with medication management in palliative care
Medication regimens for people receiving palliative care can be complex and change frequently. Patients and carers may become overwhelmed with the task of managing medications themselves. Healthcare professionals can help patients and carers understand the medications and feel confident about how to use them. For strategies for improving knowledge and confidence of patients and carers with medication management in palliative care, see Assisting patients and carers with medication management in palliative care.
Discuss with patients and carers | Strategy |
|---|---|
each regular medication | explain the choice, purpose of use, expected duration advise what adverse effects may occur and what to do if these are experienced advise what to do if a dose is missed for patients with complex medication regimens, discuss the benefits of a home medicines review (HMR) and, if required, refer to a pharmacist discuss the benefits and disadvantages (including cost) of dose administration aids to assist with adherence to complex medication regimens |
as-required medications | explain how to manage breakthrough or incidental symptoms, including:
outline when to seek healthcare professional advice if symptoms are not resolving discuss the importance of balancing symptom management with avoiding excess use of medication |
specific routes of administration and formulations | advise how to manage non-oral routes of administration and different formulations (eg subcutaneous routes) |
medication storage | emphasise the need for safe storage of medications, away from children and pets discuss specific medication storage requirements |
medication disposal | discuss how to safely dispose of medications, by returning them to their local pharmacy when they are no longer required, including when the person dies |
documentation of medication regimen | advise patients and carers to keep a list of current medications, and the purpose of each (including prescription, over-the-counter and complementary medications) advise to keep a record of when as-required doses of medications are used to manage symptoms ensure the details of any medication changes are discussed with and understood by patients and carers, and their medication list is updated |
medication costs | advise about cost implications, particularly before prescribing a medication not subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), or if a patient is on many medications |