For older people and frail people, the long-term benefit of medicines reduces and the potential for harm from adverse effects increases. When the benefit–risk balance changes in this way, medicine review and optimisation are important to simplify the therapeutic regimen, reduce inappropriate medicines and minimise risks. In this article, pharmacist prescriber Linda Bryant uses two case studies to illustrate important considerations during medicine reviews
Using analogy to connect to patients, not the in-depth study of valves
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Using analogy to connect to patients, not the in-depth study of valves
Wednesday 17 July 2019, 01:00 AM

The aortic valve can be likened to a gate that the heart must push against
Many patients will not understand an explanation of their condition in medical language. GP Jo Scott-Jones explains how analogy can be used instead, and gives many colourful examples
“It’s like pushing against a gate with rusty hinges; you have to work harder to get through.
Key points
It is important for patients to have
Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa
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