Assessment of Outpatients' Knowledge and Adherence on Warfarin: The Impact of a Simple Educational Pamphlet

Warfarin is a critical medication that is broadly used for the treatment and prevention ofthromboembolic disorders. Due to warfarin’s narrow therapeutic index, it is crucial that patientsfollow an appropriate dosage regimen. Patient knowledge is one of the most important factorsto safe and effective use of warfarin. Due to the obvious risks of anticoagulants administration,evaluating patients’ awareness seems to be crucial. The purpose of this article was to evaluatethe effects of intervention by an informative pamphlet on knowledge and adherence of patientswho consumed warfarin. Two-hundred and fifty patients receiving warfarin were assigned tothe study. They were asked to fill in the questionnaire. Then patients were provided with aneducational pamphlet. In the second interview, patients filled the questionnaire again. Obtaineddata were assessed and analyzed by Excel software and SPSS version 18.0. Out of 250 patientswho entered the study, 150 patients attended for the second interview. Data analysis revealedthat out of 13 explanatory factors, only patients’ literacy level and income were the predictorswhich inversely correlated with the patients’ adherence (r = -0.44; p = 0.00040). Our educationalintervention had a positive impact on patients’ knowledge regarding anticoagulation (p < 0.0001).Our findings revealed that a written informative pamphlet could effectively increase patients’anticoagulation knowledge. Since, poorly literate patients had a lesser level of knowledgebefore and after educational intervention, it is recommended to develop appropriate educationalprograms especially designed for this group of patients.