Community Pharmacist Attitudes on Medication Synchronization Programs

Witry, Matthew J.; Hoang, Thao

doi:10.24926/iip.v8i2.513

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…When implemented with an accompanying clinical intervention by the pharmacist, this is called an appointment-based model (ABM) [29,30]. Medication synchronization programs have had a positive impact on medication adherence [31,32], and patients and pharmacists have expressed positive attitudes toward these programs [33,34].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pilot and Feasibility of Combining a Medication Adherence Intervention and Group Diabetes Education for Patients with Type-2 Diabetes

et al. 2019

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Introduction: Controlling diabetes typically requires self-management and medications. Community pharmacists are positioned to support patients with both. Methods: This study assessed the feasibility and potential benefit of combining pharmacist-provided group diabetes education (up to eight sessions) and medication synchronization using a three-group design. Data were collected using pre–post paper surveys and electronic health record data. One group received both education and synchronization services, another group received medication synchronization only, and a third served as control. Results: Of 300 contacted patients, eighteen patients participated in group diabetes education, 14 had medication synchronization only, and 12 comprised a control group. There was little change in HbA1c over the study period. Medication adherence appeared to be positively aided by medication synchronization, although all groups started with high adherence. Some medication beliefs and self-care activities may have been positively impacted by group diabetes education. Both groups receiving medication synchronization were satisfied. Conclusions: Participants strongly agreed they would recommend group diabetes education from the study pharmacy to a friend and were satisfied with medication synchronization; however, it was difficult to tell if there was a synergistic effect by combining the two services. Reimbursement for diabetes education was not obtained despite multiple attempts, hindering sustainability.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pilot and Feasibility of Combining a Medication Adherence Intervention and Group Diabetes Education for Patients with Type-2 Diabetes

et al. 2019

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“…Implementing ABM programs can be complicated and involving patients in high quality interactions requires deliberate effort 26,27. Pharmacies may struggle to identify drug therapy problems for refill prescriptions as part of an ABM program if they are not already proactively assessing patients for DTPs on a continuous basis 28.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Retrospective analysis of drug therapy problems identified with a telephonic appointment-based model of medication synchronization

Fitzpatrick¹,

Witry²,

Doucette³

et al. 2019

Pharm Pract (Granada)

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Objectives: To describe the drug therapy problems (DTPs) identified for patients enrolled in an Appointment Based Model (ABM) for medication synchronization, describe the pharmacist-delivered clinical interventions, and assess what patient characteristics are associated with the number of DTPs identified. Methods: A cross-sectional chart review of 1 month of pharmacist notes for telephone ABM encounters at one independent community pharmacy in the Midwest U.S. was performed for a systematic random sample of patients active in the program during September 2017. Included patients were 18 years and older and took one or more synchronized medications. Data included months in the program, gender, age, insurance type, refill interval, medications (synchronized and total), DTP category, and intervention category. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and a multiple linear regression tested the association between patient characteristics and the number of DTPs identified. Results: The study involved 209 subjects, 54% women, with a mean age of 69.5 years and. The average number of medications synchronized was 4.7, the mean total number of medications was 6.3, and mean length of time in the program was 20 months. The DTPs (n=334) identified included needs additional drug therapy (43.1%), inappropriate adherence (31.4%), unnecessary drug therapy (15.0%), and adverse drug reaction (9.6%). The regression showed age and number of medications was positively associated with number of DTPs identified, but months enrolled was not. Conclusions: This ABM approach identified several hundred DTPs with corresponding interventions within a one-month period, suggesting that ABMs have a significant potential to improve patient care. The data also suggest that pharmacist interventions within an ABM program are valuable beyond the first few fills as patients move into maintenance use of their medications, especially for patients of advancing age and polypharmacy.

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