Objectives: This study examined how satisfaction with information about warfarin related to demographic and clinical factors including therapeutic outcome.
Setting: This study took place in the Outpatient clinic of the Mercy University Hospital, Cork, Rep. of Ireland.
Method: Patients attending an anticoagulation clinic completed the Satisfaction with Information about Medicines (SIMS) Scale. This was examined in line with clinical and demographic information including: age, gender, diagnosis, number of weeks taking warfarin, and INR control.
Main outcome measure: The level of satisfaction with information was measured and in addition the association between anticoagulation control and satisfaction level was examined.
Results: One hundred and nineteen patients (61.3% male), participated in the study. The majority of patients were prescribed warfarin for atrial fibrillation (53.8%). Satisfaction with information about warfarin was inversely related to age (ρ = -0.33, P < 0.01). Patient-reported satisfaction with information pertaining to the question "what is your medicine for?" was significantly associated with anticoagulation control (χ(2) = 7.27, P < 0.01).