CAN PHYSICIANS WARN PATIENTS OF POTENTIAL SIDE-EFFECTS WITHOUT FEAR OF CAUSING THOSE SIDE-EFFECTS

Background: When initiating treatment, it has been shown that only one quarter of the physicians discuss potential side effects with patient s. There are several possible reasons, but, in particular, many physic ians are concerned that the power of suggestion may lead some patients to experience an increase in side effects if they are fully informed. Accordingly, this study was designed to determine whether providing p atients with information about potential side effects of new medicatio ns increases the reported incidence of those side effects. Methods: Al l clinic patients are randomly assigned to one of four firms. Two firm s served as the intervention group and two served as control groups. A ll patients receiving new prescriptions for the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, or nonsteroidal ant i-inflammatory drugs were recruited. Patients without telephones were excluded. Intervention patients received verbal instructions and a han dout describing the name, purpose, dose, and three most common side ef fects of the drug. Control patients received usual discharge instructi ons. Patients were interviewed 14 to 21 days later using a standardize d questionnaire. Results: There was no difference in incidence of targ eted side effects for specific medications between the study groups (3 8% vs 37%). Study groups were similar with regard to age, sex, financi al status, and type of medication prescribed. Conclusion: Informing pa tients of potential side effects prior to starting a new medication do es not lead to an increased incidence of those side effects. This shou ld not be a reason for physicians to avoid warning patients of potenti al side effects.