Pilot testing of a pharmacist led care program for asthma patients in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This study aimed at evaluating the usefulness of a structured patient counseling program on clinical outcomes of asthma patients in Saudi Arabia. This cross sectional study enrolled 10 asthma patients and all were evaluated for their baseline knowledge on asthma, quality of life, compliance, patient satisfaction and drug related problems among randomly selected 5 (of the total 10) patients. The median (IQR) age of the patients was 46 (33.5-56.2) years. The baseline knowledge scores was 9 (8-11), the maximum possible scores to be 21. Cronbach alpha of the KQ was 0.65. The overall total median (IQR) compliance (Morisky) score was 4 (3-5), the maximum possible score was 5. The patient satisfaction median (IQR) score was 35.5 (32-46.25), the maximum possible score was 70. Of the total patients 3 (30%) had a history of allergy. There were total 18 allergens observed in these patients. There has been no drug-drug or drug-food interactions observed between among the prescribed drugs of the patients. Altogether 2 patients reported a total of 2 ADRs. The knowledge of the asthma patients was found to be poor. Missing the dose was the most commonly encountered drug taking behavior. The compliance was found to be good and the patient satisfaction was average.

Effects of Patient Counseling on Drug Dose Regime and Medication Compliance in Asthma Patients: A Prospective Study

“…Asthma is the major inflammatory disorder of airways having a kingpin role of various cells and cellular elements, mainly mast cells, eosinophils, T-lymphocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, and epithelial cells [7]. Asthma attack which results in narrowing of airways than normal conditions makes the respiration difficult [8]. Management needs lifelong treatment for asthma.…”

“…As it is a reversible disease, on a small relieve in asthmatic symptoms patients get non adhere to the medication, due to which patient counseling is required to provide the adequate information regarding the adherence of dosage [9,10]. According to Meshal et al;(2015), patient counseling plays key role in the health-care system for the finer therapeutic results which results in decrease in drug related issues in patients [11]. According to Alotaibi et al; the expertise of pharmacists in medications and due to their accessibility to patients may ensure positive outcomes on the disease [12].…”