Communication: A Key to Optimizing Medication Adherence and Cardiac Outcomes

The purpose of this project was to improve how clinicians communicate to patients about cardiovascular medications to the end of improving adherence and optimizing cardiac outcomes. In this project, clinician knowledge and communication confidence with regard to patient education and medication adherence was assessed using a pre-survey. An educational module to increase awareness and improve clinician-patient communication using the teach-back method was provided to inpatient cardiology clinicians consisting of registered nurses and physicians. The goal of the module and communication tool was to improve patient understanding of cardio-protective medications and increase the motivation to adhere to a chronic illness medication regimen. Knowledge and confidence were re-evaluated following the educational session using a post-survey