earticle

영어

The purpose of this research is an empirical study aiming at elderly patients’ right dru g taking and health promotion through accurate knowledge of drugs and particularly at the prevention of drug misuse and abuse in low‐income elders receiving medical benefi ts. For accomplishing the goal, we conducted a questionnaire survey of 235 elderly outp atients and inpatients aged over 65 at a public hospital, which had many low‐income e lderly patients, through direct interview. According to the results, most of elders were ta king many drugs for treating diseases and maintaining and promoting health, and drug misuse and abuse behaviors were quite common among them. Based on these results, w e propose as follows for preventing drug misuse and abuse through correct drug taking and knowledge. First, we propose developing and executing drug misuse and abuse pre vention education programs, which are easily understandable and memorable, on the go vernmental dimension. Second, we propose managing the use of over‐the‐counter dru gs by limiting places selling over‐the‐counter drugs and intensifying consultation with specialists in the sales of such drugs. Third, we propose developing and managing drug use intervention programs for institutions related to the elderly in order to help such ins titutions prevent misuse and abuse. Fourth, we propose developing and spreading progr ams for preventing multiple drug prescription and sharing such programs among hospita ls and clinics on the governmental dimension. Fifth, we propose the government’s suppo rt for research on drugs for the elderly based on clinical trial guidelines.

한국어

본 연구는 일반 노인 환자와 저소득층 노인 환자의 약물사용 실태, 약물정보 습득 경로, 약 물 오․남용 행태를 비교하는데 목적이 있다. 이를 통해 올바른 약물복용과 편안한 노후 건강 증진에 도움을 주고, 특히 의료급여 환자 등 취약계층 노인, 장애인, 정신질환자등 저소득층 노인의 약물 오․남용 방지에 도움을 주고자 한다. 본 연구 결과 대부분의 노인들이 질환치료 와 건강유진 증진을 위해 많은 약을 사용하고 있음을 알 수 있다. 반면에 약물의 이름이나 부 작용을 정확히 알고 있는 경우가 적었으며, 약물사용 시 오남용 행위가 상당히 보편화되어 있 음을 알 수 있다.