Tutkimus terveyspalvelujen käytöstä ja lääkehoidon seurannasta

The aim of this Master's Thesis was to assess experiences of access to medications and follow up services. The aspects studied were: access to medications from the public's perspective, also in relation to availability of follow-up services and support for self-management in long-term medications, and difficulty to buy necessary medicines due to economic reasons. The respondents were also asked to identify needs for developing new customer-oriented services for follow up of treatments. The data were collected during December 2013 and January 2014 by an email survey to those registered in the loyal customer program of University Pharmacy. The data were analyzed by using the statistical programme SPSS. Responses to open-ended questions were analyzed (a preliminary analysis). Respondents' age, gender, area of residency and financial situation were used as background variables. 606 responses were received (84% women, 16% men). The mean age of the respondents was 53.5 years and 91% had at least one disease or symptom diagnosed by a doctor. Almost all (93%) used some medicine or vitamin product. Eleven percent of the respondents reported that they had not been able to purchase a medicine they needed due to poor personal financial situation. A majority (85%) of the respondents perceived their health status as good. The average number of visits at the doctor during a one year period was 5.5. About 22 % of the respondents reported that they were not able to get an appointment when they needed it. About half of the respondents had regular health controls by a doctor. The respondents indicated a wish that getting the appointment regularly should be easier and that there should be time to have a holistic discussion on one's care. About half had a personal doctor and 42% had a medication card. The most common ways to self-monitor one's care were by observing general health status, measuring blood pressure and weight. Almost two-thirds (63%) discussed the monitoring results with their doctor. Many respondents reported in the open comments that they did not have instructions for self-monitoring and there was no healthcare provider to share the results with. The respondents wanted have more information concerning the reasons to use medicines, and the benefits of a long-term medicine use. They also wanted to know more about adverse effects and interactions, as well as about non-pharmacological treatment options. The prescriptions were most commonly renewed at the doctor's office (47%).The respondents also expressed a wish to have more options to contact their healthcare providers, e.g., though electronic services (online doctor, email counselling). There are limitations in the Finnish health care system from the medication management's perspective. Aspects needing improvement include access to regular controls and follow-up services, having more options to contact healthcare providers, also through electronic services, having better access to information on diseases and medication, and finally, improve caring for people's health concerns in a holistic way.