• Stephen R Carter, Timothy F Chen, and Lesley White.
• Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. scar4376@uni.sydney.edu.au
• Int J Pharm Pract. 2012 Aug 1; 20 (4): 209-17.

ObjectiveThere is a lack of knowledge regarding recipients' experiences with, perceptions of, and willingness to reuse the Home Medicines Review (HMR) programme in Australia. In addition, little is known about eligible non-recipients' awareness of and willingness to use the HMR service. The aim of the study was therefore to explore perceptions of, and willingness to use, HMRs.MethodsA cross-sectional questionnaire was conducted with recipients and eligible non-recipients of HMRs. Eligible non-recipients were defined as those who had not had an HMR and were at risk of medication misadventure. The questionnaire was distributed by 264 practising pharmacists throughout Australia.ResultsA total of 595 out of 1893 (31%) HMR recipients and 293 out of 1829 (16%) eligible non-recipients completed the questionnaires. Overall, 91% of recipients were satisfied with the service. Compared with eligible non-recipients, recipients were more willing to have an HMR if their general practitioner (GP) suggested it (91% versus 71%, P < 0.001) and more willing to ask for an HMR if they were having concerns about their medicines (82% versus 63%, P < 0.001). Among eligible non-recipients, 23% were aware of HMRs. Predominantly pharmacists (68%) and GPs (36%) provided awareness of HMRs, which was associated with increased willingness to have an HMR if their GP suggested it (83% versus 67%, P < 0.014).ConclusionsAn overwhelming majority of patients were satisfied with the HMR programme. Experience with HMR, and to a lesser extent, prior awareness, increased willingness to use HMR. Therefore, pharmacists and GPs who introduce HMR to eligible non-recipients may increase their willingness to use this service.© 2011 The Authors. IJPP © 2011 Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

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