Evaluation of a Computerized Reminder System in the Enhancement of Patient Medication Refill Compliance

Abstract

This study evaluated the use of a computerized patient profile combined with a reminder system to increase refill compliance of patients on cardiovascular medications. There were 311 patients randomly assigned into one of three groups. Patients in group 1 were monitored for refill compliance only. Group 2 patients received a postcard reminder; group 3 patients received a telephone call reminder. Refill compliance was monitored via the computerized patient profile system for a period of three months. Data collection included refill compliance, reasons for noncompliance, and the number of prescription medications for each patient. There was a significant difference between the overall mean rate of compliance between the control and intervention groups. An increase in refill compliance for all groups occurred over three months. There was no significant difference in compliance between the treatment groups. Overall, the medication reminder system appeared to be effective; however, modifications in the system should be pursued.

Review article: medication non‐adherence in ulcerative colitis – strategies to improve adherence with mesalazine and other maintenance therapies

“…A review of the literature showed that the introduction of adherence aids and refill or follow‐up reminders increased adherence by 6–25% 47 . In addition, adherence as determined by prescription refills was significantly increased in patients receiving a computer‐generated postcard or telephone reminder 60 …”

Patient compliance-an overview

“…Another type of reminder is a refill reminder which is generated at the pharmacy level. S i n s and Wenzloff (68) investigated the use of postcard refill reminders and telephone-call refill reminders. These researchers found that both types of reminders increased refill compliance, but there were no significant differences in compliance between the two types.…”

Automated Outreach for Cardiovascular‐Related Medication Refill Reminders

“…An inner-city university health center utilized a computerized reminder system to increase refill behavior among 311 patients randomly assigned into three groups: control, postcard reminder, and telephone call reminder. 14 The study found a significant difference in the mean refill rate between the control and the two intervention groups; however, there was no significant difference between the postcard reminder and telephone call reminder intervention groups. Albright and colleagues 15 conducted a qualitative study among African American health plan members of Kaiser Permanente Colorado to evaluate the use of a linguistically congruent voice in interactive voice response calls as a strategy to improve call completion rates.…”

“…In addition, the outreach call did not include any messaging about the benefits of taking the medication, such as LDL‐C or BP reduction and reduced risk of a heart attack or stroke. An inner‐city university health center utilized a computerized reminder system to increase refill behavior among 311 patients randomly assigned into three groups: control, postcard reminder, and telephone call reminder . The study found a significant difference in the mean refill rate between the control and the two intervention groups; however, there was no significant difference between the postcard reminder and telephone call reminder intervention groups.…”