Information for patients

Clinicians are supported to provide information to their patients about medicines options, benefits and risks.

Provide the person, their family, disability support workers or guardian with targeted information

People with intellectual disability need accessible and tailored information to ensure they and/or their family, disability support worker or guardian understand their medicine, its potential risks and the reason for any changes. This includes providing the information to the appropriate support people and using communication methods appropriate for the person. The method of ‘teach-back’ – asking the person to repeat what has been said to them, to check their understanding – may also assist.^[68]

Support clinicians to provide an Easy Read medication list on discharge. Clinicians should explain any medication changes and the reason for the change to the person and their family, disability support workers or guardian.

Review policies, procedures and guidelines

Evaluate the medicine-related information available to people with intellectual disability to ensure it is suitable. This may include providing Easy Read information, pictures, diagrams or videos to demonstrate device techniques.

• NSW Council for Intellectual Disability Resources for health Practitioners 
• National Disability Services Get Ready to Assist Clients with Medication
• SPECTROM Easy read medication leaflets (Medicine (Psychotropics) for people with intellectual disability 
• National Health System England Stopping over medication of people with a learning disability and autistic people (STOMP) and supporting treatment and appropriate medication in paediatrics (STAMP) 
• Choice and Medication provides printable leaflets used by health services to provide information on medications used in mental health conditions
• The Very Easy Read Leaflets (VERAs format) is for people with learning disabilities and low health literacy:
  • NSW: South Eastern Sydney Local Health District and Sydney Local Health District 
  • South Australia: SA Health
  • Western Australia: Child and Adolescent Health Service
  • Queensland: Queensland Health
  • Victoria: Alfred Health 
• Lung Foundation Australia educational videos on videos on inhaler device techniques
• The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission Medicines for health, not control brings together many resources that are available to help reduce or eliminate the inappropriate use of psychotropic medicines people with disabilities.