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Ryan R, Hill S. Making rational choices about how best to support consumers' use of medicines: a perspective review. Ther Adv Drug Saf 2016; 7:159-64. [PMID: 27493719 DOI: 10.1177/2042098616651198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Inappropriate medicine use and polypharmacy create significant challenges for consumers and the health systems they live in, worldwide. In this review, we describe the evidence underpinning interventions directed primarily at healthcare consumers, including information provision, pharmacist-delivered interventions and practical supports, such as reminders to improve outcomes related to medicines. We identify a relatively small number of strategies that seem effective or promising: self-monitoring and self-management programmes, simplified dosing regimens and pharmacist-delivered interventions such as medication review. These interventions could be applied in practice to address some of the problems associated with inappropriate use of medicines, multimorbidity and polypharmacy. The evidence also indicates that success with many strategies is not consistent, suggesting that understanding the individual's context and their preferences will also be important for improving medicines' use. In addition, some strategies in current use are ineffective. Taken together, we argue that the evidence should inform deliberate, rational decisions between strategies to support consumers in using medicines safely and effectively. Future medicine-use research should likewise build rationally and constructively on what is known about promising interventions, avoiding duplication of past research, and working to help consumers negotiate the many challenges presented by polypharmacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Ryan
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, School of Psychology and Public Health, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Victoria 3086, Australia
| | - Sophie Hill
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, School of Psychology and Public Health, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia
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Gagliardi AR, Légaré F, Brouwers MC, Webster F, Badley E, Straus S. Patient-mediated knowledge translation (PKT) interventions for clinical encounters: a systematic review. Implement Sci 2016; 11:26. [PMID: 26923462 PMCID: PMC4770686 DOI: 10.1186/s13012-016-0389-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patient-mediated knowledge translation (PKT) interventions engage patients in their own health care. Insight on which PKT interventions are effective is lacking. We sought to describe the type and impact of PKT interventions. METHODS We performed a systematic review of PKT interventions, defined as strategies that inform, educate and engage patients in their own health care. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library from 2005 to 2014 for English language studies that evaluated PKT interventions delivered immediately before, during or upon conclusion of clinical encounters to individual patients with arthritis or cancer. Data were extracted on study characteristics, PKT intervention (theory, content, delivery, duration, personnel, timing) and outcomes. Interventions were characterized by type of patient engagement (inform, activate, collaborate). We performed content analysis and reported summary statistics. RESULTS Of 694 retrieved studies, 16 were deemed eligible (5 arthritis, 11 cancer; 12 RCTs, 4 cohort studies; 7 low, 3 uncertain, 6 high risk of bias). PKT interventions included print material in 10 studies (brochures, booklets, variety of print material, list of websites), electronic material in 10 studies (video, computer program, website) and counselling in 2 studies. They were offered before, during and after consultation in 4, 1 and 4 studies, respectively; as single or multifaceted interventions in 10 and 6 studies, respectively; and by clinicians, health educators, researchers or volunteers in 4, 3, 5 and 1 study, respectively. Most interventions informed or activated patients. All studies achieved positive impact in one or more measures of patient knowledge, decision-making, communication and behaviour. This was true regardless of condition, PKT intervention, timing, personnel, type of engagement or delivery (single or multifaceted). No studies assessed patient harms, or interventions for providers to support PKT intervention delivery. Two studies evaluated the impact on providers of PKT interventions aimed at patients. CONCLUSIONS Single interventions involving print material achieved beneficial outcomes as did more complex interventions. Few studies were eligible, and no studies evaluated patient harms, or provider outcomes. Further research is warranted to evaluate these PKT interventions in more patients, or patients with different conditions; different types of PKT interventions for patients and for providers; and potential harms associated with interventions.
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A Comparative Exploration of Community Pharmacists’ Views on the Nature and Management of Over-the-Counter (OTC) and Prescription Codeine Misuse in Three Regulatory Regimes: Ireland, South Africa and the United Kingdom. Int J Ment Health Addict 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s11469-016-9640-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
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Bahrmann P, Harms F, Schambeck CM, Wehling M, Flohr J. [New oral anticoagulants for prophylaxis of stroke. Results of an expert conference on practical use in geriatric patients]. Z Gerontol Geriatr 2016; 49:216-26. [PMID: 26861870 DOI: 10.1007/s00391-016-1027-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2015] [Revised: 12/28/2015] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Geriatric patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) are increasingly being treated with novel oral anticoagulants (NOAC) to prevent ischemic stroke. This article highlights the outcome of an expert meeting on the practical use of NOAC in elderly patients. An interdisciplinary group of experts discussed the current situation of stroke prevention in geriatric patients and its practical management in daily clinical practice. The topic was examined through focused impulse presentations and critical analyses as the basis for the expert consensus. The key issues are summarized in this paper. The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines from 2012 for the management of patients with non-valvular AF recommend NOAC as the preferred treatment and vitamin K antagonists (VKA) only as an alternative option. Currently, the NOAC factor Xa inhibitors apixaban and rivaroxaban and the thrombin inhibitor dabigatran are more commonly used in clinical practice for patients with AF. Although these drugs have many similarities and are often grouped together it is important to recognize that the pharmacology and dose regimes differ between compounds. Especially n elderly patients NOAC drugs have some advantages compared to VKA, e.g. less drug-drug interactions with concomitant medication and a more favorable risk-benefit ratio mostly driven by the reduction of bleeding. Treatment of anticoagulation in geriatric patients requires weighing the serious risk of stroke against an equally high risk of major bleeding and pharmacoeconomic considerations. Geriatric patients in particular have the greatest benefit from NOAC, which can also be administered in cases of reduced renal function. Regular control of the indications is indispensable, as also for all other medications of the patient. The use of NOAC should certainly not be withheld from geriatric patients who have a clear need for oral anticoagulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Bahrmann
- Institut für Biomedizin des Alterns, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Kobergerstr. 60, 90419, Nürnberg, Deutschland.
| | - Fred Harms
- European Health Care Foundation, Zug, Schweiz
| | | | - Martin Wehling
- Institut für Experimentelle und Klinische Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Medizinische Fakultät Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität, Heidelberg, Deutschland
| | - Jürgen Flohr
- Allgemeinmedizinische Gemeinschaftspraxis, Leipzig, Deutschland
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Van Hout MC, Norman I. Misuse of non-prescription codeine containing products: Recommendations for detection and reduction of risk in community pharmacies. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2016; 27:17-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2015.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2014] [Revised: 08/26/2015] [Accepted: 09/19/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Cooper JA, Cadogan CA, Patterson SM, Kerse N, Bradley MC, Ryan C, Hughes CM. Interventions to improve the appropriate use of polypharmacy in older people: a Cochrane systematic review. BMJ Open 2015; 5:e009235. [PMID: 26656020 PMCID: PMC4679890 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 214] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To summarise the findings of an updated Cochrane review of interventions aimed at improving the appropriate use of polypharmacy in older people. DESIGN Cochrane systematic review. Multiple electronic databases were searched including MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (from inception to November 2013). Hand searching of references was also performed. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), controlled clinical trials, controlled before-and-after studies and interrupted time series analyses reporting on interventions targeting appropriate polypharmacy in older people in any healthcare setting were included if they used a validated measure of prescribing appropriateness. Evidence quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool and GRADE (Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation). SETTING All healthcare settings. PARTICIPANTS Older people (≥ 65 years) with ≥ 1 long-term condition who were receiving polypharmacy (≥ 4 regular medicines). PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Primary outcomes were the change in prevalence of appropriate polypharmacy and hospital admissions. Medication-related problems (eg, adverse drug reactions), medication adherence and quality of life were included as secondary outcomes. RESULTS 12 studies were included: 8 RCTs, 2 cluster RCTs and 2 controlled before-and-after studies. 1 study involved computerised decision support and 11 comprised pharmaceutical care approaches across various settings. Appropriateness was measured using validated tools, including the Medication Appropriateness Index, Beers' criteria and Screening Tool of Older Person's Prescriptions (STOPP)/ Screening Tool to Alert doctors to Right Treatment (START). The interventions demonstrated a reduction in inappropriate prescribing. Evidence of effect on hospital admissions and medication-related problems was conflicting. No differences in health-related quality of life were reported. CONCLUSIONS The included interventions demonstrated improvements in appropriate polypharmacy based on reductions in inappropriate prescribing. However, it remains unclear if interventions resulted in clinically significant improvements (eg, in terms of hospital admissions). Future intervention studies would benefit from available guidance on intervention development, evaluation and reporting to facilitate replication in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ngaire Kerse
- Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Cristín Ryan
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
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Impact of a web-based intervention on the awareness of medication adherence. Res Social Adm Pharm 2015; 12:926-936. [PMID: 26725001 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2015.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2015] [Revised: 11/07/2015] [Accepted: 11/08/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medication nonadherence is a widely recognized problem that leads to adverse outcomes and increased health care costs. Reasons for medication nonadherence are multifactorial, and patient awareness of the salience of medication adherence is critical. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this research was to assess the impact of a pharmacist-led, web-based video presentation in increasing patients' awareness of the importance of medication adherence. METHODS Patients aged 35 years and above, taking at least 1 chronic prescription medication were included in the study (n = 166). Patients completed a pre-survey, watched a pharmacist-led web-based video presentation educating them on the importance of medication adherence, then completed a 1-month follow-up survey. The primary outcome was measurement of change in patients' awareness of the importance of medication adherence. RESULTS Results indicated a statistically significant increase in the primary outcome of increasing awareness of the importance of medication adherence. More patients in the follow-up survey indicated that it was important for their health to take their medications around the same time daily (P = 0.002), and more patients identified that their family will be impacted as a result of their medication nonadherence (P = 0.001) as compared to the pre-survey. More patients in the follow-up survey reported that they expected to experience fewer emergency room visits (P = 0.0001) and anticipated that they would get more time to spend with friends and family (P = 0.0039) as benefits of taking medications as prescribed. CONCLUSION A pharmacist-led web-based video presentation may be a low-cost intervention to increase patients' awareness of the importance of medication adherence.
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Hanna M, Larmour I, Wilson S, O'Leary K. Patient and general practitioner perspectives of the Hospital Outreach Medication Review service at Monash Health. JOURNAL OF PHARMACY PRACTICE AND RESEARCH 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/jppr.1115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mary Hanna
- Department of Pharmacy; Monash Health; Melbourne Australia
| | - Ian Larmour
- Department of Pharmacy; Monash Health; Melbourne Australia
| | - Sally Wilson
- Research into Practice Pharmacist; The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia; Melbourne Australia*
| | - Karen O'Leary
- Policy and Projects Manager; The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia; Melbourne Australia
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Borycki E, Cummings E, Dexheimer JW, Gong Y, Kennebeck S, Kushniruk A, Kuziemsky C, Saranto K, Weber J, Takeda H. Patient-Centred Coordinated Care in Times of Emerging Diseases and Epidemics. Contribution of the IMIA Working Group on Patient Safety. Yearb Med Inform 2015; 10:207-15. [PMID: 26123904 PMCID: PMC4587040 DOI: 10.15265/iy-2015-019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In this paper the researchers describe how existing health information technologies (HIT) can be repurposed and new technologies can be innovated to provide patient-centered care to individuals affected by new and emerging diseases. METHODS The researchers conducted a focused review of the published literature describing how HIT can be used to support safe, patient-centred, coordinated care to patients who are affected by Ebola (an emerging disease). RESULTS New and emerging diseases present opportunities for repurposing existing technologies and for stimulating the development of new HIT innovation. Innovative technologies may be developed such as new software used for tracking patients during new or emerging disease outbreaks or by repurposing and extending existing technologies so they can be used to support patients, families and health professionals who may have been exposed to a disease. The paper describes the development of new technologies and the repurposing and extension of existing ones (such as electronic health records) using the most recent outbreak of Ebola as an example.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Borycki
- Elizabeth Borycki, Health Information Science, University of Victoria, PO Box 1700 STN CSC, Victoria BC V8W 2Y2, Canada, E-Mail:
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Eriksson T. Evidence-based and pragmatic steps for pharmacists to improve patient adherence. INTEGRATED PHARMACY RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2015; 4:13-19. [PMID: 29354516 PMCID: PMC5741017 DOI: 10.2147/iprp.s83030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
All strategies and tools to improve the potential outcomes of medications therapy are a waste of time if the clients do not take their medication as prescribed. The aim of this paper is to help pharmacists to help their clients to improve outcomes of medicines based on improving their compliance to evidence-based pharmacotherapy. To reach a good compliance (result), you have to have agreement and concordance (method) between the practitioner and the client. Barriers and strategies for this, including identifying compliance problems and reasons for it, methods for improving information and communication, the client's participation, and responsibility for their own health, are presented mainly based on Cochrane reviews. Also some general pragmatic suggestions for how pharmacists can assist their clients the best are given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommy Eriksson
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Institution of Laboratory Medicine Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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111
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Granger BB, Ekman I, Hernandez AF, Sawyer T, Bowers MT, DeWald TA, Zhao Y, Levy J, Bosworth HB. Results of the Chronic Heart Failure Intervention to Improve MEdication Adherence study: A randomized intervention in high-risk patients. Am Heart J 2015; 169:539-48. [PMID: 25819861 PMCID: PMC5058442 DOI: 10.1016/j.ahj.2015.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2014] [Accepted: 01/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Poor adherence to evidence-based medications in heart failure (HF) is a major cause of avoidable hospitalizations, disability, and death. To test the feasibility of improving medication adherence, we performed a randomized proof-of-concept study of a self-management intervention in high-risk patients with HF. METHODS Patients with HF who screened positively for poor adherence (<6 Morisky Medication Adherence Scale 8-item) were randomized to either the intervention or attention control group. In the intervention group (n = 44), a nurse conducted self-management training before discharge that focused on identification of medication goals, facilitation of medication-symptom associations, and use of a symptom response plan. The attention control group (n = 42) received usual care; both groups received follow-up calls at 1 week. However, the content of follow-up calls for the attention control group was unrelated to HF medications or symptoms. General linear mixed models were used to evaluate the magnitude of change in adherence and symptom-related events at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up clinic visits. Efficacy was measured as improved medication adherence using nurse-assessed pill counts at each time point. RESULTS Pooled over all time points, patients in the intervention group were more likely to be adherent to medications compared with patients in the attention control group (odds ratio 3.92, t = 3.51, P = .0007). CONCLUSIONS A nurse-delivered, self-care intervention improved medication adherence in patients with advanced HF. Further work is needed to examine whether this intervention can be sustained to improve clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradi B Granger
- Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, NC; Duke University Health Systems, Durham, NC.
| | - Inger Ekman
- Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Centre for Person-Centred Care, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden
| | | | | | - Margaret T Bowers
- Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, NC; Duke University Health Systems, Durham, NC
| | | | | | - Janet Levy
- Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, NC
| | - Hayden B Bosworth
- Center for Health Services Research in Primary Care, VA Medical Center, Durham, NC
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Boeni F, Arnet I, Hersberger KE. Adherence counseling during patient contacts in swiss community pharmacies. Patient Prefer Adherence 2015; 9:597-605. [PMID: 25960642 PMCID: PMC4423509 DOI: 10.2147/ppa.s76027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Numerous studies showed the effectiveness of pharmaceutical care in improving medication adherence in primary care patients. However, in daily pharmacy practice, the provision of pharmaceutical care appears to be limited. We aimed at quantifying the content of counseling by community pharmacy staff during patient contacts, especially adherence counseling, and at investigating pharmacist views about their practice of adherence counseling. PATIENTS AND METHODS A Master's student in Pharmacy observed patient contacts at selected community pharmacies in the region of Basel, Switzerland. Content of counseling was manually ticked on a checklist with predefined themes (administration, dose, effect, and adherence). Pharmacists working in the pharmacy were interviewed on triggers, topics, and barriers in adherence counseling. RESULTS In 20 community pharmacies and during a total of 148.1 hours, 1,866 patient contacts were observed. During the 1,476 patient contacts including the dispensing of one or more medications, counseling was provided to 799 (54.1%) patients; with 735 (49.8%) patients counseled about administration, 362 (24.5%) about dose, 267 (18.1%) about effect, and 99 (6.7%) about adherence. Significantly more patients received counseling when they obtained prescribed versus over-the-counter medication (P=0.002), a new prescription versus a repeat prescription (P<0.001), or when they were served by a pharmacist versus by another staff member (P<0.001). Of the 33 interviewed pharmacists, all except one reported actively approaching patients for adherence counseling. Triggers included medication-related and patient-related factors. The pharmacists named predominantly product-centered topics of adherence counseling. The most cited barriers were rejection of counseling by the patient and lack of time. CONCLUSION Half of the patients receiving one or more medications were counseled, and only 6.7% of all contacts included adherence counseling. Future studies should clarify how barriers to adherence counseling at the community pharmacy can be overcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabienne Boeni
- Pharmaceutical care research group, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Correspondence: Fabienne Boeni, Pharmaceutical care research group, Department of Pharmaceutical sciences, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland, Tel +41 61 267 15 29, Fax +41 61 267 14 26, Email
| | - Isabelle Arnet
- Pharmaceutical care research group, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kurt E Hersberger
- Pharmaceutical care research group, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Nieuwlaat R, Wilczynski N, Navarro T, Hobson N, Jeffery R, Keepanasseril A, Agoritsas T, Mistry N, Iorio A, Jack S, Sivaramalingam B, Iserman E, Mustafa RA, Jedraszewski D, Cotoi C, Haynes RB. Interventions for enhancing medication adherence. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2014; 2014:CD000011. [PMID: 25412402 PMCID: PMC7263418 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd000011.pub4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 671] [Impact Index Per Article: 67.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who are prescribed self administered medications typically take only about half their prescribed doses. Efforts to assist patients with adherence to medications might improve the benefits of prescribed medications. OBJECTIVES The primary objective of this review is to assess the effects of interventions intended to enhance patient adherence to prescribed medications for medical conditions, on both medication adherence and clinical outcomes. SEARCH METHODS We updated searches of The Cochrane Library, including CENTRAL (via http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/cochranelibrary/search/), MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO (all via Ovid), CINAHL (via EBSCO), and Sociological Abstracts (via ProQuest) on 11 January 2013 with no language restriction. We also reviewed bibliographies in articles on patient adherence, and contacted authors of relevant original and review articles. SELECTION CRITERIA We included unconfounded RCTs of interventions to improve adherence with prescribed medications, measuring both medication adherence and clinical outcome, with at least 80% follow-up of each group studied and, for long-term treatments, at least six months follow-up for studies with positive findings at earlier time points. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently extracted all data and a third author resolved disagreements. The studies differed widely according to medical condition, patient population, intervention, measures of adherence, and clinical outcomes. Pooling results according to one of these characteristics still leaves highly heterogeneous groups, and we could not justify meta-analysis. Instead, we conducted a qualitative analysis with a focus on the RCTs with the lowest risk of bias for study design and the primary clinical outcome. MAIN RESULTS The present update included 109 new RCTs published since the previous update in January 2007, bringing the total number of RCTs to 182; we found five RCTs from the previous update to be ineligible and excluded them. Studies were heterogeneous for patients, medical problems, treatment regimens, adherence interventions, and adherence and clinical outcome measurements, and most had high risk of bias. The main changes in comparison with the previous update include that we now: 1) report a lack of convincing evidence also specifically among the studies with the lowest risk of bias; 2) do not try to classify studies according to intervention type any more, due to the large heterogeneity; 3) make our database available for collaboration on sub-analyses, in acknowledgement of the need to make collective advancement in this difficult field of research. Of all 182 RCTs, 17 had the lowest risk of bias for study design features and their primary clinical outcome, 11 from the present update and six from the previous update. The RCTs at lowest risk of bias generally involved complex interventions with multiple components, trying to overcome barriers to adherence by means of tailored ongoing support from allied health professionals such as pharmacists, who often delivered intense education, counseling (including motivational interviewing or cognitive behavioral therapy by professionals) or daily treatment support (or both), and sometimes additional support from family or peers. Only five of these RCTs reported improvements in both adherence and clinical outcomes, and no common intervention characteristics were apparent. Even the most effective interventions did not lead to large improvements in adherence or clinical outcomes. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Across the body of evidence, effects were inconsistent from study to study, and only a minority of lowest risk of bias RCTs improved both adherence and clinical outcomes. Current methods of improving medication adherence for chronic health problems are mostly complex and not very effective, so that the full benefits of treatment cannot be realized. The research in this field needs advances, including improved design of feasible long-term interventions, objective adherence measures, and sufficient study power to detect improvements in patient-important clinical outcomes. By making our comprehensive database available for sharing we hope to contribute to achieving these advances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robby Nieuwlaat
- McMaster UniversityDepartment of Clinical Epidemiology and BiostatisticsHamilton General Hospital campus, Room C3‐107237 Barton Street EastHamiltonONCanadaL8L 2X2
| | - Nancy Wilczynski
- McMaster UniversityDepartment of Clinical Epidemiology and BiostatisticsHamilton General Hospital campus, Room C3‐107237 Barton Street EastHamiltonONCanadaL8L 2X2
| | - Tamara Navarro
- McMaster UniversityDepartment of Clinical Epidemiology and BiostatisticsHamilton General Hospital campus, Room C3‐107237 Barton Street EastHamiltonONCanadaL8L 2X2
| | - Nicholas Hobson
- McMaster UniversityDepartment of Clinical Epidemiology and BiostatisticsHamilton General Hospital campus, Room C3‐107237 Barton Street EastHamiltonONCanadaL8L 2X2
| | - Rebecca Jeffery
- McMaster UniversityDepartment of Clinical Epidemiology and BiostatisticsHamilton General Hospital campus, Room C3‐107237 Barton Street EastHamiltonONCanadaL8L 2X2
| | - Arun Keepanasseril
- McMaster UniversityDepartments of Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics, and Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences1280 Main Street WestHamiltonONCanadaL8S 4L8
| | - Thomas Agoritsas
- McMaster UniversityDepartment of Clinical Epidemiology and BiostatisticsHamilton General Hospital campus, Room C3‐107237 Barton Street EastHamiltonONCanadaL8L 2X2
| | - Niraj Mistry
- St. Michael's HospitalDepartment of Pediatrics30 Bond StreetTorontoONCanadaM5B 1W8
| | - Alfonso Iorio
- McMaster UniversityDepartment of Clinical Epidemiology and BiostatisticsHamilton General Hospital campus, Room C3‐107237 Barton Street EastHamiltonONCanadaL8L 2X2
| | - Susan Jack
- McMaster UniversitySchool of Nursing, Faculty of Health SciencesHealth Sciences CentreRoom 2J32, 1280 Main Street WestHamiltonONCanadaL8S 4K1
| | | | - Emma Iserman
- McMaster UniversityDepartment of Clinical Epidemiology and BiostatisticsHamilton General Hospital campus, Room C3‐107237 Barton Street EastHamiltonONCanadaL8L 2X2
| | - Reem A Mustafa
- McMaster UniversityDepartment of Clinical Epidemiology and BiostatisticsHamilton General Hospital campus, Room C3‐107237 Barton Street EastHamiltonONCanadaL8L 2X2
| | - Dawn Jedraszewski
- McMaster UniversityDepartment of Clinical Epidemiology and BiostatisticsHamilton General Hospital campus, Room C3‐107237 Barton Street EastHamiltonONCanadaL8L 2X2
| | - Chris Cotoi
- McMaster UniversityDepartment of Clinical Epidemiology and BiostatisticsHamilton General Hospital campus, Room C3‐107237 Barton Street EastHamiltonONCanadaL8L 2X2
| | - R. Brian Haynes
- McMaster UniversityDepartments of Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics, and Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences1280 Main Street WestHamiltonONCanadaL8S 4L8
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Smith F, Grijseels MS, Ryan P, Tobiansky R. Assisting people with dementia with their medicines: experiences of family carers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACY PRACTICE 2014; 23:44-51. [PMID: 25351043 PMCID: PMC4369136 DOI: 10.1111/ijpp.12158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2014] [Accepted: 09/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Many family carers provide assistance with medicines that is vital for optimal clinical outcomes. Medicines-related tasks are known to contribute to carer burden and stress. This study examined the experiences of family carers when providing medicines-related assistance for a person with dementia, to indicate how services could become more responsive to the specific needs of this group of carers. METHODS Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with family carers and care-recipients identified though a memory clinic in north London and a local Alzheimer's Society. The interview guide, comprising open questions, was informed by previous studies and consultation with stakeholders. Qualitative procedures involving a framework approach were employed in the analysis. KEY FINDINGS Fourteen interviews with carers and five with care-recipients were conducted. These highlighted the burden and challenges, surrounding medicines-management activities. As well as practical aspects that could be complex, carers were commonly making judgements about the need for and appropriateness of medicines. Although experiences were varied, carers reported difficulties in maintaining supplies, ensuring adherence to regimens and accessing health professionals; and they made some recommendations for service improvements. Carers' difficulty in obtaining information and advice about medicines was compounded by their desire to allow the care-recipient to retain autonomy over their medicines as long as possible. CONCLUSION This study highlights the distinct needs and problems with regard to medicines-management when caring for a person with dementia. As the prevalence of dementia rises, interventions designed to address these specific aspects of reduce carer-burden should be a priority for health professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicity Smith
- Department of Practice and Policy, UCL School of Pharmacy, London, UK
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Coelho RB, Costa FA. Impact of pharmaceutical counseling in minor health problems in rural Portugal. Pharm Pract (Granada) 2014; 12:451. [PMID: 25580167 PMCID: PMC4282762 DOI: 10.4321/s1886-36552014000400002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2014] [Accepted: 10/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of self-medication and to evaluate the clinical impact of pharmaceutical counseling. Methods: A cross-sectional study was used with a prospective component, the latter to evaluate the impact of pharmaceutical counseling. The study was conducted in a rural community pharmacy for 14 consecutive days in December 2012, recruiting all individuals who agreed to participate and met the eligibility criteria. During a face-to-face direct interview demographic and clinical characteristics of patients were registered, followed by a pharmaceutical intervention, which consisted of evaluating the symptoms, selecting the most appropriate non-prescription medicine (NPM) available and advising the patient on pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic measures, all according to established protocols for minor health problems. When appropriate, the patient was referred to a medical appointment. One week later, the clinical outcome of such intervention was measured by asking the patients about the resolution of their minor health problems. Results: Data from 298 patients were analyzed, the majority being female (60.1%) with an average age of 44.84 years (SD=22.41). Respiratory problems were the most frequent (n=78; 26.2%) and respiratory tract medication was the most frequently indicated (n= 77; 27.8%). The observed prevalence of self-medication was 40.7%. Of the 271 patients’ beneficiaries of pharmaceutical counseling, 86.8% had their minor health problems solved after one week (ranging from 77.5% to 88.2% according to a sensibility analysis for drop-outs). Conclusions: This work is important as it demonstrates the beneficial impact of pharmaceutical counseling, a very relevant area for the pharmacist and where literature is particularly scarce.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel B Coelho
- Master in Pharmaceutical Sciences. Pharmaceutical Care Specialist Pharmacy in Pharmaceutical Alfeirao. Vila Nova de Milfontes ( Portugal ).
| | - Filipa A Costa
- Higher Institute of Health Sciences Egas Moniz . Centre for Interdisciplinary Research Egas Moniz (CiiEM). Almada ( Portugal ).
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