MEDICATION DECISION-MAKING AND MANAGEMENT - A CLIENT-CENTERED MODEL

Although the traditional medical model dominates how 'provider-patient ' roles are viewed, research has documented that client medication beh avior strongly influences health outcomes, health care utilization, an d ultimately health care costs. This paper explores the position that medication management outcomes can be improved by adopting more client -centered approaches. To examine the implications of a client-centered relationship this paper reviews research regarding client involvement in: (1) identifying treatment goals; (2) choosing from regimen option s; (3) monitoring symptoms and evaluating regimens; and (4) self care with nonprescription pharmaceutical products. Based on this literature review, a collaborative client-centered model of medication consultat ion is examined, and implications for health care provider roles and p ublic policy in pharmaceutical care are discussed.