Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Carbimazole is a commonly used and effective treatment for hyperthyroidism. Although on the World Health Organisation’s list of essential medicines, it comes with the potentially significant side effect of agranulocytosis. We set out a Quality Improvement Project to improve communication with patients to ensure their understanding through creating a patient information leaflet.

Methods: 30 patients receiving Carbimazole treatment between July and December 2021 were identified in a district general hospital, 15 from each consultant in the department. Clinic letters and replies to GP referrals were analysed to determine if side effects of carbimazole were counselled. We produced a Carbimazole patient information leaflet explaining the drug’s purpose, side effects and symptoms to be aware of. We educated clinical team members that the leaflet was to be distributed to patients taking Carbimazole. 29 patients from February to June 2023 were studied post-intervention to compare if the number of patients educated had increased. We also spoke to 10 randomly chosen patients to see if they found the leaflet useful.

Results: Prior to the leaflet being produced, 16 of 30 (53.3%) patients had documented evidence of discussion about side effects of Carbimazole. After the team became familiar with the leaflet, 22 of 29 patients (75.9%) had documented evidence of discussion of side effects. In one patient Carbimazole was appropriately stopped. 7 of 9 (77.8%) patients felt the leaflet was beneficial with two preferring verbal communication. One was unable to be contacted.

Conclusions: This study was performed during a period where novel communication methods were used during the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual and telephone clinics brought new challenges to starting patients on medications. There was a numerical increase in documented discussions held following intervention. This project ensures patients have a copy of important information about their healthcare at a time of strained resources.