# 10 Practical Tips for a Best Possible Medication History

Be proactive. Gather as much information as possible prior to seeing the patient. Include primary medication histories, provincial database information, and medications vials/ lists.

Prompt questions about non-prescription categories: over the counter drugs, vitamins, recreational drugs, herbal/traditional remedies.

Prompt questions about unique dosage forms: eye drops, inhalers, patches, and sprays.

Don’t assume patients are taking medications according to prescription vials.  Ask about recent changes initiated by either the patient or the prescriber.

Use open-ended questions: “Tell me how you take this medication?”

Use medical conditions as a trigger to prompt consideration of appropriate common medications:  “When you get short of breath, what medications do you take?”

Consider patient adherence with prescribed regimens:  “Has the medication been recently filled?”

Verify accuracy: validate with at least two sources of information.

Obtain community pharmacy contact information: anticipate and inquire about multiple pharmacies.

Use a BPMH trigger sheet or a systematic process /interview guide like the one found here. Include efficient order/optimal phrasing of questions and prompts for commonly missed medications