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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Drugs

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About MIMH

Medicines in My Home

 

Medicines in My Home (MIMH) is a multimedia educational program to teach consumers from adolescence through adulthood how to choose over-the-counter medicines and use them safely. 

“Rooms” of the program contain presentation and print materials that teachers, students and adults can use online or download.

History

Late in 2004, an FDA physician saw literature suggesting adolescents as young as 11 or 12 may begin self-medicating with over-the-counter medicines. Adolescents this age may also be left alone after or before school, and may be asked to care for other children. Concerned that students this young likely lack the knowledge, skills and abilities to make decisions about medicine and use medicine safely without adult permission and supervision, a team of FDA medical and communication professionals joined together to develop an educational program. The vision was for the program to be taught in classrooms but include tools which teach and encourage student and family to follow good medicine habits at home.

The team created a lesson for middle school students with input from the National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE). During the 2005-2006 school year, the team piloted the lesson in 6th grade classrooms in Montgomery County, Maryland. The valuable feedback the team learned from the teachers and students helped mold the program of today.

The MIMH team recognized older students and adults could benefit from the information in the lesson. The team expanded the program into a lesson for adults in late 2007.                                                        

The Teachers’ Room has all the tools a teacher needs to teach a Medicines in My Home lesson tailored for a middle school (Grade 6 to 8) or adult audience. The room houses goals, descriptions, objectives, key concepts, and all the program materials (PowerPoint presentations, pre and post tests, worksheets, booklets, home project and more). An adolescent who wants to use the student materials without a teacher can find them by going to the Students’ Room; adults can find their materials in the Consumers’ Room.

Interactive Home

The MIMH team knew that people learn in different ways, so in the spring of 2010 the team released an interactive video presentation that can be used alone or with the PowerPoint presentation to teach or learn the lesson concepts. The Medicines in My Home family invites you (the adolescent through adult learner) into their Interactive Home to learn the sections of the Drug Facts label and watch as the family makes medicine decisions. You’ll get to practice making decisions about medicines using realistic medicine labels.

Learn what has been written about MIMH in the Press Room-MIMH, and how to contact us at Contact MIMH.

Medicines in My Home is growing and changing. You can Get e-mail updates when this information changesreceive an email notification when new materials are added.

 

 

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