D2C - PRESCRIPTION AND MEDICATION SURVEY
Thank you for being part of our consumer healthcare quality panel. You are helping the Maine Health Management Coalition improve the quality of healthcare in Maine.
Understanding the medications that your doctor or healthcare provider prescribes is an important part of managing your health. Studies show that up to 25% of prescriptions are never filled or picked up a the pharmacy and up to half of prescribed medications are not taken exactly as the doctor prescribed them. The 2008 MHMC Consumer Opinion Survey less than half of the respondents (42%) “strongly agreed” that they know what each of their prescribed medications do.
Your answers to the questions below will help us better understand how you use medications and how you talk with your doctor about prescriptions Your responses will be confidential and none of the information you provide will be used to identify you personally.
1.
Think about the most recent time that a doctor prescribed a medication for you. Please choose the response that best describes how you used the medication.
I had the prescription filled and took (or are taking) the medication exactly as the doctor prescribed. (skip to Q3)
I had the prescription filled and took some of the medication, but I did not take it as often and/or as long as the doctor prescribed.
I had the prescription filled but never took any of the medication at all
I did not have the prescription filled or did not pick up the prescription at the pharmacy.
2.
If you did not take the medication exactly as prescribed, why not? (check all that apply)
I did not understand the directions on how to take it (e.g., how often, what time of day, etc.)
I stopped taking it when I started feeling better
It did not work / I did not feel better
It had a bad interaction with another drug I was taking
I did not understand what the medication was for
The side effects were too severe
I could not afford it
I had a bad reaction to it
I did not think I needed it
I forgot to take the medication
Other
3.
If there has been a time when you did not take medication as it was prescribed, did you talk to your doctor about it?
Yes
No
I always take medication as prescribed
4.
When a doctor prescribes a new medication for you, do you ask the doctor questions about the medication?
Yes, always
Yes, sometimes
Yes, but very rarely
No, never
5.
When you pick up a prescription from the pharmacy, do you ask the pharmacist any questions about the medication?
Yes, always
Yes, sometimes
Yes, but very rarely
No, never
6.
How many prescription medications do you currently take?
None
1-2
3-4
More than 5
7.
(optional) In the space below, please give us your opinion about how you think it could be easier for people to take medications correctly.
The following questions are for demographic purposes only
.
8.
Are you:
Male
Female
9.
What is the name of the town where you reside?
10.
What was your age on your last birthday?
11.
Do you have a chronic health condition, or a condition that requires ongoing care (e.g., diabetes, arthritis, MS, asthma, fibromyalgia, high blood pressure, etc.)?
Yes
No
Don't know