Medtable: An Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Strategy to Promote Patient Medication Understanding and Use

Nurse works with patient to reconcile EMR-based medication list and load list into Medtable. Nurse uses Medtable with patient to develop plans for taking medications. Patient completes Medtable columns to identify when routine activities are performed during the day. Nurse discusses medications with patient: what the medication is called, used for, etc. Nurse and patient jointly develop the schedule by choosing times to take each medication. These times are entered into corresponding cells of the Medtable. Nurse corrects any mistakes (e.g., times that would conflict with dose spacing requirements). Nurse asks patient to review to ensure patient understands key facts and that drug interactions or other restrictions are addressed, using collaborative inquiry, teach-back, and teach-to-goal strategies. Patient takes home a hardcopy of the Medtable schedule to guide adherence. An updated e-copy is integrated with patient's record in the EMR.