Which strategies can be employed to enhance medication history accuracy?

Engaging in active listening and confirming details with the patient is a highly effective strategy for enhancing the accuracy of medication history. This approach involves not just passively hearing what the patient says but actively participating in the conversation to clarify and verify the information provided. By asking open-ended questions, encouraging patients to elaborate on their medication usage, and restating what you've heard for confirmation, pharmacists can gather more complete and precise information.

Active listening helps to uncover potential discrepancies in medication lists, such as over-the-counter medications, supplements, or recently prescribed drugs that may not be reflected in pharmacy records. It fosters a trusting relationship, which can encourage patients to share additional information that could be critical for their care.

In contrast, simply asking the patient once does not allow for the necessary depth of inquiry needed to capture the complete medication history. Relying solely on pharmacy records can be insufficient as these records may not include all medications a patient is taking, especially if they are using multiple pharmacies or if there have been recent changes not yet updated. While mandating that patients provide their pill bottles may seem helpful, it can be impractical and does not guarantee comprehensive information.