Poor adherence to medical therapy may cause as much as dollar 100 billion in unnecessary healthcare expenses each year. Nonadherence is a complicated and dynamic problem that involves patient, medication, and prescriber factors. The Case Management Adherence Guidelines (CMAG-1) are an evidence-based algorithm that introduces concepts and strategies for assessing medical knowledge and readiness to change (motivational interviewing). Once the assessment has been made, the guidelines can be used regularly to help patients become and remain adherent to their medication regimens. CMAG-1 and its tools, based on up-to-date information about adherence and ways to promote behavioral change, are designed to identify motivational and knowledge deficiencies that may block adherence. As information accumulates from centers that use it, CMAG-1 will be modified accordingly, with the goal of creating structured interaction with patients that will increase their knowledge and motivation to take medication appropriately.
This article presents a model of integration of home health care and case management programs, designed to improve outcomes and reduce cost. Components of screening mechanisms, interventions, and outcomes are described. Financial methods for funding such a model are discussed as well as how to position and market this type of program to managed care organizations. Preliminary results of such a program implemented in a staff model HMO demonstrate reduced beddays, increased memberlphysician satisfaction, high quality outcomes, and cost effectiveness.
As a next stage in the evolution of case management, Guided Care may be supported by Medicare and, therefore, adopted widely throughout the American healthcare.
Medication adherence is a key issue in case management practice; efforts to positively impact low patient knowledge and motivation can be frustration for case managers. The CMAG offer evidence-based assessment tools to evaluate patient knowledge of medications and their motivation to adhere, and recommend the strategy of motivational interviewing to help case managers address adherence more effectively with patients. A 1-time training on the CMAG and motivational interviewing had some effect on self-reported case manager effectiveness in addressing medication adherence. Case managers appreciated the training; many reported that they continue to use skills and that they have observed changes in patient outcomes. Additional training, skill building, and reinforcement may help case managers apply CMAG and motivational interviewing effectively to support patients' adherence to medication regimens. The CMSA may continue to evaluate the impact of the CMAG and CMAG training to refine the tools and the training approach.
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