Evaluation of Physician Knowledge of the Key Safety Information for Aflibercept in Canada: Evaluation of Risk-Minimization Measures

Evaluating patient and physician knowledge of risks and safe use of rivaroxaban: a survey across four countries

BACKGROUND

At the request of the European Medicines Agency, a Prescriber Guide and Patient Alert Card were developed to increase awareness and understanding about the initiation of rivaroxaban and potential bleeding risk associated with its use. This study evaluated physician and patient awareness and understanding of key safety messages in these educational materials in three waves.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Three cross-sectional surveys were administered to physicians and one survey was administered to patients (wave 1 only) with recent rivaroxaban experience in France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

RESULTS

Patient and physician knowledge of key safety information in the educational materials was generally high. Patients' knowledge was high for questions related to bleeding risk (80% responded correctly), indication (96%), consulting their doctor (86%-91%), and informing other physicians they are taking rivaroxaban (95%). Physicians' knowledge was particularly high for questions related to bleeding risk (92%-94% across waves), populations at increased risk of serious side effects (76%-94%), contraindications (70%-92%), and invasive procedures (76%-82%).

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients and physicians, the highest levels of knowledge were on the most important risks, as expected. The Prescriber Guide and Patient Alert Card were found to be useful sources of information.

Physician and Patient Knowledge of Safety and Safe Use Information for Aflibercept in Europe: Evaluation of Risk-Minimization Measures

BACKGROUND

As part of the risk-management plan for aflibercept in the European Union, materials have been developed to educate physicians and patients in Europe on the safe use of aflibercept.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were to measure receipt of the educational materials and to evaluate understanding of key safety information for aflibercept.

METHODS

An observational cross-sectional study among physicians and patients with recent aflibercept experience in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK was conducted. Eligible physicians and patients completed a brief questionnaire regarding their knowledge of key safety information.

RESULTS

Among the 8424 physicians invited to participate in the survey, 428 physicians were eligible, completed the questionnaire, and were included in this analysis. Most physicians reported having received the aflibercept summary of product characteristics (87%) and prescriber guide (77%); approximately half reported receiving the injection procedure video (50%) and patient booklet (54%). Physician knowledge of the most important topics (i.e., side effects; preparing patients for aflibercept injection) was high. Physician knowledge of dosing was high for neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration and lower for less commonly prescribed indications. Most physicians knew the contraindications for aflibercept and recognized possible side effects. Among the 874 patients approached about participation in the study, 773 patients were eligible, completed the questionnaire, and were included in the analysis. Patients' reported receipt was relatively low for the aflibercept patient booklet (38%) and the audio CD (23%). Patient knowledge of the health conditions to discuss with a doctor prior to injection was generally high; knowledge about possible side effects varied. Most patients knew that they should speak to a physician immediately if they experienced a possible side effect of aflibercept.

CONCLUSION

Most physicians reported receiving the summary of product characteristics, prescriber guide, and patient booklet; half reported receiving the intravitreal injection procedure video. Patient receipt of the educational material was variable. Observed patterns of knowledge indicated the greatest knowledge of the most important risks emphasized in the educational material and lower knowledge of more complex or less salient aspects of safe use.