If you have a medical condition that requires you to take prescribed medication regularly, you could benefit greatly from a Medication Schedule Template. This tool will help ensure you don’t miss your meds or take the wrong dosage, thus promoting your wellbeing. In this post, we review medication schedules, their importance, and how to create one that meets your needs.
What Is a Medication Schedule?
A medication schedule is a document highlighting all your medications, their dosages, and recommended times to take them. It is designed to help you stick to the routine prescribed by your doctor by reminding you when you should take your meds. In other cases, it prevents you from taking too much or too little of your prescribed drugs. Doctors also use them to review your medical history.
What Is a Medication Schedule Template?
A medication schedule template is a fillable chart that you can use to organize the names, dosages, and dates of your medications. It allows you to track your current prescriptions and tick off the medications you have taken. Usually, the template is made up of rows and columns where you can fill in medication names, dosages, dates, times, and descriptions.
Medication Schedule Templates & Examples
Essential Elements of a Medication Schedule Template
Medical schedule templates will vary depending on the user’s condition and prescriptions. However, the typical document will contain the following key elements:
1. Patient’s Information
the top row of the document should identify the patient by recording the following:
- Full legal name
- Phone number and email address
- Physical address
- Hospital record number
This section should also highlight the name and contact information of the doctor that prescribed the medication and the date the template was created.
2. Medical Information
Next, the template should contain the following medical data:
- The condition for which the medication is being prescribed.
- The medication names (brand and generic) and dosages, with each medication written in a new row.
- Simple directions, e.g., how and when the medication should be taken.
3. Images
If necessary, the document should contain pictures or clear descriptions of each medication to help the patient easily identify them.
How to Make a Medication Schedule Template
As already mentioned, your Medication Schedule Template will be different from that of the next person except for some basic elements. If you are looking for a way to track your medicine intake and health, here is how to prepare a customized template of your own:
Step 1: Prepare a Chart
Start by deciding whether you want a digital or handwritten copy. If you choose the former, choose a computer program like Excel that allows you to create a chart with rows and columns. Alternatively, draw the sections you need using a ruler and pen.
Step 2: Supply Patient Information
Indicate the patient and doctor’s names and contact information in the top row of the template. This will help prevent mix-ups in case several people in the same household are taking medication.
Step 3: Complete the Rows and Columns
Name your rows and columns depending on the information you would like to include in your template. Great examples of titles to include are:
- Patient name
- Medication name
- Doctor’s name and contact information
- Prescription date
- Dosages
- Known allergies
Add checkboxes next to the columns for easy tracking.
Step 4: Print and Save
If you are happy with the draft, edit and proofread it, then print and save it for later use.
Types of Medical Schedule Template/Calendars
Your medication schedule will usually depend, first and foremost, on your condition, then your age, genetics, medical history, and so on. To cater to all patient needs, medical schedules can be of the following different types:
1) Daily Medicine Template
This schedule template helps you keep track of daily medication doses required to meet your prescribed medical routine.
2) Health Medical Template
A health medical schedule template is an excellent planning tool for people who live alone and don’t have a nurse. It will inform you of your medication safety precautions, including prescribed dosages.
3) Medication Organizer
A medical organizer template is used to manage lab tests and prescription filling appointments.
4) Other Templates
- Medical appointment schedule template
- Hourly schedule template
- Weekly schedule template
- Monthly schedule template
Why Use a Medical Schedule Template?
Think of using a medication schedule as having a personal nurse that reminds you of daily prescription doses, health alerts, safety measures, and upcoming doctor’s appointments. The aim is to help you live your best quality life by planning your medication intake for the coming days, weeks, months, or years. With the template, you can:
- Maintain your doctor’s contact information close by in case of emergencies
- Plan your medication intake in advance, especially when planning a trip.
Tips to Manage and Organize Your Medication
The margin for error when creating a medication schedule grows larger the more medication you need to take. Here are some tips to help you organize your intake effectively:
Daily Pill Organizer
Pill organizers have several compartments that hold the medication you should take in a day. You can use it to organize your pills and add descriptions like color and size for better remembrance.
Tip: Store your pill organizer away from the reach of children to prevent them from taking your pills or disorganizing the compartments.
Review Prescriptions
Always keep track of current prescriptions and fill them out at least three days before they run out. This will ensure you don’t miss any doses.
Dosing Schedule Chart
You can create this through MS Word or Excel by listing all your medications and adding notes on when, why, and how you should take them.
Medication App
Alternatively, download an app to your phone or tablet that helps you set reminders for when to take your medication.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a medication calendar?
A medication calendar is an outline of all the medication you must take, the dosage, and times across a given time period. This could be a week, month, or year.
Is 3 times a day every 8 hours?
Yes. Dosing times should be divided as evenly as possible across a day. Consequently, 3 times a day means you should take your medication once every 8 hours.
Does twice a day mean every 12 hours?
Most people find it easier to gauge prescription times by associating them with daily tasks. As such, twice daily usually means in the morning and evening/ at breakfast and after dinner/ upon waking up and when going to bed, etc.
Final Thoughts
Using a Medication Schedule Template to keep track of your medication is a great organizational hack, but it is not all you need. You have to compliment the system by physically organizing your prescriptions. Generally, you want to start by keeping them in one location away from children, maintaining the labels in good condition, and filling all empty prescriptions. This way, you can use your medication schedule and physical arrangement to stay on top of your prescriptions.
