In-Home. Medicinal Treatment as a Learning Process

How do patients know what they know about medicines use? And how do they know whether their actions in preparing for treatment are correct? When faced with a new medicine, do patients perceive they must begin a real learning and training process? And, if so, how does this thinking inform their actions? What basic knowledge does each patient possess about the use of medicines? How are they formed, and what are the sources of information that educate the patient-user of the medicine? We have noted, in previous chapters (refer to Chap. 8 of this text), the fragmentary way in which the patient is given information about the management of treatment: some of it comes from the doctor, some of it from the pharmacist, and some of it is retrieved from the package leaflet and the indications on the primary and secondary packaging. The medicine itself, its shape and the markings on its surface can give the patient valuable hints on how to take it correctly (on this aspect, see Chap. 16 of this text). How do these different levels of information play out when the patient finds himself, in his own home, ‘face to face’ with medicines? Through what tools and practices does the patient’s knowledge regarding the appropriate and correct medicine use take shape? This chapter attempts to answer these questions by looking at therapy in the home environment as a learning process.