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Lee JL, Morrison CF, Drake S, Pai AL. Adherence to caregiver-administered intravenous immunosuppressant medications in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant. J Oncol Pharm Pract 2024:10781552241258151. [PMID: 38819392 DOI: 10.1177/10781552241258151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to describe taking, timing, and dosing adherence to home caregiver-administered intravenous (IV) immunosuppressants in a sample of pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) recipients. PROCEDURES Sixteen children who had undergone HCT, ages 3 months to 15 years, and their caregivers participated. All caregivers were biological mothers. Caregivers completed a demographic questionnaire as part of a larger study and brought in portable infusion pumps to download the pump data at the time of their child's post-HCT clinic visit. Pump data were then examined for dose taking, timing, and amount for 30 days following discharge. RESULTS Despite the importance of the precise timing of IV immunosuppressants, adherence taking, dosing, and timing varied widely in this sample. The mean percentage of doses administered was 98.72%, and 81.3% of children received all doses of immunosuppressant. However, only 62% of doses were given on time and the mean difference between the prescribed and actual administration time was 67.03 minutes. CONCLUSIONS Although taking adherence was high, the timing and dosing adherence to IV immunosuppressants in the home was poor. Additional support to promote adherence should be provided including assisting caregivers to identify and use adherence strategies specific to their child's IV immunosuppressant regimen in the home.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Sarah Drake
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ahna L Pai
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
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Ralph JE, Sezgin E, Stanek CJ, Landier W, Pai ALH, Gerhardt CA, Skeens MA. Improving medication adherence monitoring and clinical outcomes through mHealth: A randomized controlled trial protocol in pediatric stem cell transplant. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0289987. [PMID: 37590237 PMCID: PMC10434937 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Medication non-adherence rates in children range between 50% and 80% in the United States. Due to multifaceted outpatient routines, children receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) are at especially high risk of non-adherence, which can be life-threatening. Although digital health interventions have been effective in improving non-adherence in many pediatric conditions, limited research has examined their benefits among families of children receiving HCT. To address this gap, we created the BMT4me© mobile health app, an innovative intervention serving as a "virtual assistant" to send medication-taking reminders for caregivers and to track, in real-time, the child's medication taking, barriers to missed doses, symptoms or side effects, and other notes regarding their child's treatment. In this randomized controlled trial, caregivers will be randomized to either the control (standard of care) group or the intervention (BMT4me© app) group at initial discharge post-HCT. Both groups will receive an electronic adherence monitoring device (i.e., medication event monitoring system "MEMS" cap, Medy Remote Patient Management "MedyRPM" medication adherence box) to store their child's immunosuppressant medication. Caregivers who agree to participate will be asked to complete enrollment, weekly, and monthly parent-proxy measures of their child's medication adherence until the child reaches Day 100 or complete taper from immunosuppression. Caregivers will also participate in a 15 to 30-minute exit interview at the conclusion of the study. Descriptive statistics and correlations will be used to assess phone activity and use behavior over time. Independent samples t-tests will examine the efficacy of the intervention to improve adherence monitoring and reduce readmission rates. The primary expected outcome of this study is that the BMT4me© app will improve the real-time monitoring and medication adherence in children receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplant following discharge, thus improving clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica E. Ralph
- The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Emre Sezgin
- The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Charis J. Stanek
- The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Wendy Landier
- University of Alabama Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Ahna L. H. Pai
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center & University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Cynthia A. Gerhardt
- The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Micah A. Skeens
- The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
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3
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Chardon ML, Klages KL, Joffe NE, Pai ALH. Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Medication Adherence Facilitators and Strategies: A Qualitative Study. J Pediatr Psychol 2023; 48:415-424. [PMID: 36173365 PMCID: PMC10199727 DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsac078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Taking medications as prescribed after hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) is key for ensuring children's survival; however, suboptimal medication adherence is common. Development of evidence-based interventions to improve medication adherence post-HCT is contingent upon understanding what adherence facilitators (i.e., unique traits, characteristics, or resources inherent to the individual, medical treatment, or healthcare team) and strategies (i.e., tools caregivers or medical providers intentionally use) promote medication adherence in this population. Therefore, this study examined caregiver-perceived medication facilitators post-HCT. METHODS Semi-structured qualitative interviews and demographic questionnaires were completed by 29 caregivers of children (≤12 years) who had received an HCT within the past 2 years. RESULTS Thematic analysis guided by grounded theory revealed 14 saturated themes that were grouped into 4 categories: family facilitators, medication facilitators, caregiver strategies, and multidisciplinary treatment team strategies. CONCLUSIONS Overall, findings suggest that caregivers of children who received an HCT are highly resourceful and independently develop many strategies to assist them with medication management after their child's HCT. These facilitators and strategies varied between caregivers and over time. Despite prevalent facilitators and strategies, caregiver burden associated with medication adherence remains high. Caregivers may benefit from the multidisciplinary treatment team providing individualized and multicomponent (educational and behavioral) medication adherence supports to ease this burden particularly shortly after hospital discharge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie L Chardon
- Division of Behavioral Medicine & Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, USA
| | - Kimberly L Klages
- Division of Behavioral Medicine & Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, USA
| | - Naomi E Joffe
- Division of Behavioral Medicine & Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, USA
- Patient and Family Wellness Center, Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, USA
| | - Ahna L H Pai
- Division of Behavioral Medicine & Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, USA
- Patient and Family Wellness Center, Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, USA
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Chardon ML, Klages KL, Joffe NE, Pai ALH. Recommendations for Providing Medication Adherence Support After Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant: Caregivers' Lived Experience. JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGY/ONCOLOGY NURSING 2023; 40:5-16. [PMID: 36221958 PMCID: PMC9982233 DOI: 10.1177/27527530221121723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Background. Medication adherence is challenging after pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT), particularly after hospital discharge. Post-HCT medication adherence is important to manage morbidity and mortality risk. Designing interventions that are effective and acceptable to caregivers is key to improving post-HCT medication adherence. This study aimed to characterize caregiver preferences about medication adherence support from their child's medical team. Methods. Twenty-nine caregivers of children who received an HCT completed semi-structured qualitative interviews about their experience with, and recommendations for improving, medication adherence support provided by the medical team. Twenty-two caregivers also completed a card sort task to clarify the content of received support and caregiver recommendations for future HCT families. Results. Thematic analysis revealed eight themes grouped into two categories: Communication Is Key and Practical Medication Adherence Support. Caregivers emphasized the importance of communication in helping them manage their child's outpatient medications and provided suggestions to further strengthen communication. The types of practical medication adherence support used varied across caregivers highlighting the importance of tailoring adherence support to each family's needs. Caregivers also identified all the domains as potentially helpful for other families. Discussion. Findings suggest that caregivers prefer that efforts to improve outpatient medication adherence post-HCT prioritize the medical team initiating frequent, clear, and open communication about medications, and provide educational materials on adherence (e.g., handouts). Results also indicate that practical medication adherence supports should be offered based on family preferences but that families may particularly appreciate tips about addressing medication challenges based on other caregivers' lived experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie L. Chardon
- Division of Behavioral Medicine & Clinical Psychology,
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Kimberly L. Klages
- Division of Behavioral Medicine & Clinical Psychology,
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Naomi E. Joffe
- Division of Behavioral Medicine & Clinical Psychology,
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Patient and Family Wellness Center, Cancer and Blood Diseases
Institute, CCHMC, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of
Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Ahna L. H. Pai
- Division of Behavioral Medicine & Clinical Psychology,
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Patient and Family Wellness Center, Cancer and Blood Diseases
Institute, CCHMC, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of
Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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Duncan-Park S, Dunphy C, Becker J, D’Urso C, Annunziato R, Blatter J, Conrad C, Goldfarb SB, Hayes D, Melicoff E, Schecter M, Visner G, Armstrong B, Chin H, Kesler K, Williams NM, Odim JN, Sweet SC, Danziger-Isakov L, Shemesh E. Remote intervention engagement and outcomes in the Clinical Trials in Organ Transplantation in Children consortium multisite trial. Am J Transplant 2021; 21:3112-3122. [PMID: 33752251 PMCID: PMC8856090 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.16567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Remote interventions are increasingly used in transplant medicine but have rarely been rigorously evaluated. We investigated a remote intervention targeting immunosuppressant management in pediatric lung transplant recipients. Patients were recruited from a larger multisite trial if they had a Medication Level Variability Index (MLVI) ≥2.0, indicating worrisome tacrolimus level fluctuation. The manualized intervention included three weekly phone calls and regular follow-up calls. A comparison group included patients who met enrollment criteria after the subprotocol ended. Outcomes were defined before the intent-to-treat analysis. Feasibility was defined as ≥50% of participants completing the weekly calls. MLVI was compared pre- and 180 days postenrollment and between intervention and comparison groups. Of 18 eligible patients, 15 enrolled. Seven additional patients served as the comparison. Seventy-five percent of participants completed ≥3 weekly calls; average time on protocol was 257.7 days. Average intervention group MLVI was significantly lower (indicating improved blood level stability) at 180 days postenrollment (2.9 ± 1.29) compared with pre-enrollment (4.6 ± 2.10), p = .02. At 180 days, MLVI decreased by 1.6 points in the intervention group but increased by 0.6 in the comparison group (p = .054). Participants successfully engaged in a long-term remote intervention, and their medication blood levels stabilized. NCT02266888.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Duncan-Park
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Pediatrics and Kravis Children’s Hospital, New York, New York
- Fordham University, Department of Psychology, Bronx, New York
| | - Claire Dunphy
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Pediatrics and Kravis Children’s Hospital, New York, New York
- Fordham University, Department of Psychology, Bronx, New York
| | - Jacqueline Becker
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Pediatrics and Kravis Children’s Hospital, New York, New York
| | - Christine D’Urso
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Pediatrics and Kravis Children’s Hospital, New York, New York
| | - Rachel Annunziato
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Pediatrics and Kravis Children’s Hospital, New York, New York
- Fordham University, Department of Psychology, Bronx, New York
| | | | - Carol Conrad
- Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital, Palo Alto, California
| | | | - Don Hayes
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | | | - Marc Schecter
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Gary Visner
- Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | | | | | | | - Jonah N Odim
- National Institutes of Health, NIAID, Bethesda, Maryland
| | | | | | - Eyal Shemesh
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Pediatrics and Kravis Children’s Hospital, New York, New York
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Skeens MA, Gerhardt CA, Bajwa R, Akard TF. Toward a better understanding: An exploration of provider perceptions in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant adherence. Pediatr Transplant 2020; 24:e13786. [PMID: 32678483 DOI: 10.1111/petr.13786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Pediatric HSCT patients endure complicated treatment regimens, lifestyle modifications, and a lifetime of long-term follow-up. Treatment adherence in this population is understudied and prevalence unknown. Providers (physicians and advanced practice nurses) in this study completed an online-structured questionnaire about definition, assessment, and perceived rates of adherence. Researchers' extracted 187 statements from participants' responses. The majority (n = 12, 71%) of providers reported adherence as a primary concern in outpatient HSCT. The major concern for providers was the potential of non-adherence to negatively affect outcomes. Providers also shared clinical examples of non-adherence. This study contributes to a better understanding of providers' perceptions of adherence within pediatric HSCT. Additional research is needed to describe, define, and improve adherence in pediatric HSCT to ultimately improve outcomes and quality of life for this vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micah A Skeens
- Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.,The Center for Biobehavioral Health, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Cynthia A Gerhardt
- The Center for Biobehavioral Health, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.,Departments of Pediatrics and Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Rajinder Bajwa
- Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
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