OBJECTIVES: To evaluate physicians’ perceived awareness of patients’ medication lists, and explore factors associated with their perceived awareness.

METHODS: A cross-sectional, anonymous survey was performed online through Qualtrics in May 2017. A total of 150 physicians involved in patient care at least two days per week across the United States were recruited, out of which 145 completely responded to the survey (50 Primary Care Physicians (PCPs), 47 Psychiatrists, and 48 Hematologists/Oncologists). Physicians’ demographic information, practice characteristics, and communication methods were collected via multiple choice items. Care coordination themes in one open-ended survey question were identified using inductive thematic analysis. Predictors of physicians’ degree of confidence (low vs. high) in being aware of all of the patients' prescriptions were determined using logistic regression.

RESULTS: Of 145 respondents, 24% had <16 practice years. Most physicians (n=122, 84%) used electronic medical records (EMRs) in their practices. Only 15% of physicians (n=22) frequently changed patients’ prescriptions ordered by another physician. Forty-eight percent of physicians had low confidence in being aware of all their patients’ medications. Three themes were identified by thematic analysis: the importance and barriers to obtaining patients’ full list of medications, concerns about drug-drug interactions, as well as the importance and barriers for communication/coordination. After controlling demographic and practice setting factors, physicians who had more years of practice (odds ratio (OR)=3.00, 95% CI=1.41-6.38) and who frequently communicated with other providers (OR=3.12, 95% CI=1.01-9.59) had a higher degree of confidence in being aware of their patient's complete medication lists compared to their counterparts.

CONCLUSIONS: This study found that physicians’ frequency of communicating is a critical factor to physicians’ awareness of patients’ complete medication lists. Interventions are needed to enhance provider communication or create better tools for ensuring accurate and complete medication profiles. These interventions will help to improve medication safety and patient outcomes.