Understanding Patient Perspectives on Medications

University of Copenhagen via Coursera

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/patient-perspectives-on-medications

Introduction

**Course Review: Understanding Patient Perspectives on Medications** In an era where patient-centered care is increasingly recognized as essential to effective healthcare delivery, the course "Understanding Patient Perspectives on Medications" on Coursera emerges as a vital resource for healthcare professionals, students, and anyone interested in the interplay between medications and patients’ experiences. **Course Overview** As noted in the course description, inappropriate use of medications poses significant risks to patient health and can lead to increased healthcare costs. The course addresses these challenges by emphasizing the importance of engaging patients in discussions about their medications, ultimately aiming to tailor treatments to individual needs and preferences. This class elucidates why understanding patient perspectives is crucial for enhancing communication, improving health outcomes, and fostering a collaborative healthcare environment. **Syllabus Breakdown** The course is structured into several modules, each focusing on different aspects of patient perspectives related to medication use. 1. **Why is the Patient Perspective Important?** This introductory module sets the stage for the course by discussing societal challenges related to medications and highlighting the importance of understanding patients’ views. It effectively contrasts patients’ and professionals’ perspectives, laying the groundwork for deeper exploration later in the course. 2. **Patient Stories** Moving beyond theory, this module immerses participants in real-life examples through patient narratives. Hearing directly from patients about how medicines fit into their daily lives offers invaluable insights into their experiences, shedding light on the emotional and psychological aspects of medication use. The unique model introduced here provides a comprehensive framework for understanding various facets of patients’ relationships with their medications. 3. **The Professional Perspective** This module provides critical insights into where patient and professional views may conflict. Understanding that healthcare professionals may not always resonate with patients' rationales regarding their medications is pivotal. Participants will learn to examine their own assumptions while engaging with concepts of satisfaction, attitudes toward medication, and behavioral insights. This reflective process equips healthcare professionals to better navigate these dynamics in real-world settings. 4. **How to Apply and Explore the Patient Perspective** The final module places the previous discussions into actionable contexts. Case studies illustrating the application of patient perspectives in health policy and practice demonstrate practical implications. Participants are introduced to qualitative interviews as a method to delve deeper into patient experiences, enhancing skills necessary for future interactions with patients. The graded assignment component encourages active engagement with the material, fostering collaborative learning through peer reviews. **Recommendation** The "Understanding Patient Perspectives on Medications" course is highly recommended for healthcare professionals—from pharmacists to nurses to physicians—who wish to enhance their understanding of patient experiences and improve their communication skills. This course is also suitable for students in health-related fields and those involved in healthcare policy, as it equips learners with essential tools for fostering patient-centered approaches. **Conclusion** This course offers participants not just knowledge but a transformative perspective on medication use in relation to patient experiences. By bridging the gap between professional and patient perspectives, it fosters stronger collaborations that can lead to richer health outcomes and a more sustainable healthcare system. Engaging with the course materials and actively participating in discussions and assignments can profoundly improve how healthcare practitioners view and interact with their patients, making a meaningful difference in the lives of those they serve. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your practice and contribute to a more patient-centered healthcare landscape.

Syllabus

Why is the patient perspective important?

This module will give an overview of society-wide challenges related to medicines use. You will learn why it is important to understand the patient perspective on medicines use, and be introduced to issues that will be discussed during the course, such as patients’ perspectives versus professionals’ perspectives on medicines use.

Patient stories

In this module you will learn about patients’ views on medicines use and how medicines are incorporated in their daily lives. You will be introduced to a model summarizing different aspects of the patient perspective on medicines use. You will also meet patients who will tell about their personal experiences with medicines use.

The professional perspective

In this module you will learn that the patient's rationality regarding medicines use is not always in sync with the professionals’ rationality. You will be introduced to various ways of how healthcare professionals evaluate the patient perspective on medicines use. This relates to satisfaction, patients’ attitudes towards medicines, as well as knowledge of, and behavior related to medicines. Lastly, the module will enable you to reflect upon your own assumptions about patients’ medicine use.

How to apply and explore the patient perspective

In this module, you will be presented with examples of how the patient perspective has been implemented into health policy and healthcare practice. You will get acquainted with different aspects of the qualitative interview – a method you can use to explore the patient perspective in depth. Lastly, you will reflect on how to use this knowledge in your professional setting. Please note! This week you must hand in a graded assignment and review three assignments from fellow students.