Home Medication Reviews

This project was undertaken as a quality assurance activity at the University Medical Practice, a private general practice in Geraldton. The University Medical Practice (UMP) has been using home medication reviews (HMRs) since its inception in late 2001. The doctors were interested in learning about their patients’ experiences of HMRs. They also wanted to know if HMRs changed either their patients’ behaviour or their own prescribing.

CUCRH’s Dr Marisa Gilles, Belynda Wheatland and Ann Larson assisted UMP’s Dr James Quirke and Midwest Division of General Practice project officer Andrea Howden to design and conduct the study.

Forty-four patients who had an HMR in the previous 12 months were interviewed and their medical records audited. Four pharmacists involved in reviews were also interviewed. Patients were very positive about the HMRs and they led to a significant number of minor medication changes. The study also raised issues of pharmacists’ time and remuneration and appropriate targeting of patients that will impact on the sustainability of HMRs.