Hospital Hill - Teach-back Method - Diabetes Medication Instructions

Summary

In this medical consultation, a healthcare provider discusses a new diabetes medication, Metformin, with the patient, Chris. The doctor explains how the medication should be taken twice a day, starting with one pill in the morning and at night, gradually increasing to two pills per dose after a week. Potential side effects, such as abdominal discomfort or diarrhea, are noted, with instructions to call if these occur. The doctor also plans a follow-up appointment in three months to assess the patient's blood sugar levels. Chris confirms his understanding of the medication schedule and instructions.

Takeaways

• 😀 Chris is starting a new medication called Metformin to help control his blood sugars.
• 😀 Metformin is a pill that needs to be taken twice a day, once in the morning and once at night.
• 😀 The medication dosage will start low and gradually increase over the next two weeks.
• 😀 For the first week, Chris should take one tablet in the morning and one at night.
• 😀 In the second week, the dosage will increase to two tablets in the morning and two at night.
• 😀 Some potential side effects of Metformin include diarrhea and abdominal discomfort.
• 😀 If Chris experiences any side effects, he should call the doctor to discuss next steps.
• 😀 If everything goes well, Chris will have a follow-up appointment in three months.
• 😀 The follow-up visit will include rechecking the hemoglobin A1c to monitor how blood sugars have been managed over the last three months.
• 😀 The plan is to adjust the treatment based on how Chris’s blood sugars respond to the medication.
• 😀 Chris confirms his understanding of the medication schedule and potential side effects.

Q & A

What is the new medication Chris will be taking?

Chris will be starting a new medication called metformin, which is a pill taken by mouth to help control blood sugar levels.

How often and in what dosage should Chris take the metformin?

Chris should take metformin twice a day. For the first week, the dose is one tablet in the morning and one tablet at night. After that, the dose will increase to two tablets in the morning and two tablets at night for the second week and onward.

Why does Chris need to gradually increase the dosage of metformin?

The dosage needs to be gradually increased to allow Chris's body time to adjust to the medication and minimize potential side effects.

What are the possible side effects of metformin that Chris should be aware of?

Possible side effects of metformin include diarrhea and abdominal discomfort. Chris should contact the doctor if any of these symptoms occur.

What should Chris do if he experiences any side effects from metformin?

If Chris experiences any side effects, such as abdominal pain or diarrhea, he should call the doctor to discuss the next steps.

When is the next follow-up appointment for Chris?

Chris should schedule a follow-up appointment in 3 months to recheck his hemoglobin A1c, a test that measures average blood sugar levels over the past three months.

What does the hemoglobin A1c test measure?

The hemoglobin A1c test measures how well blood sugar has been controlled over the past three months.

What should Chris do if everything is going well with his new medication?

If Chris is tolerating the medication well and experiencing no major side effects, he will continue taking the metformin as prescribed and will come back for a follow-up appointment in 3 months to check his hemoglobin A1c.

How can Chris ensure he remembers the medication instructions?

Chris will be given written instructions on how to take the medication, which will help him remember the dosage schedule.

What is the main goal of starting metformin for Chris?

The main goal of starting metformin is to help control Chris's blood sugar levels, thereby better managing his diabetes.