Golna C, Poimenidou C, Giannoukari EE(E, Saridi M, Liberopoulos E, Souliotis K. Assessing a Pharmacist-Enabled Intervention to Improve Adherence to Medication for Hypertension, Dyslipidemia, and Chronic Venous Circulation Disorders in Greece.
Patient Prefer Adherence 2023;
17:3341-3352. [PMID:
38106368 PMCID:
PMC10725630 DOI:
10.2147/ppa.s420811]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background
Adherence to medication in chronic conditions may be influenced by interventions from pharmacists. This study aimed to assess the impact of guidance and reminders from pharmacists on adherence to medication for hypertension, dyslipidemia, and chronic venous circulation disorders (CVCD) in Greece.
Methods
The prospective CONCORD study aimed to record and report on change in self-reported adherence to medication following pharmacist reminders amongst a cohort of adult patients, diagnosed with at least one or a combination of these health conditions. All study participants were regular patients of a network of pharmacies in Attica and southern Greece. Pharmacists were trained to provide adherence reminders over 4 months. Impact on self-reported adherence of the intervention was reported at baseline and again in month 4.
Results
Of the 1146 participants, 48% were men and 60% were aged 55-74 years. Among them, 23.7% were diagnosed with hypertension, 16.5% with dyslipidemia, 3% with CVCD, 42.5% with hypertension and dyslipidemia, 3.1% with hypertension and CVCD, 2.6% with dyslipidemia and CVCD, and 8.6% with dyslipidemia, hypertension, and CVCD. In month 4 vs month 0, patients were less likely to forget to take their prescribed medications (p<0.001), to be careless about their medications during the last 30 days (p<0.001), and to temporarily discontinue their medications without prior doctor's advice (p<0.001). Patients with CVCD were more prone to lower self-reported adherence compared to patients who were not diagnosed with CVCD or a combination of conditions that included CVCD.
Discussion
Reminders and advice from pharmacists resulted in higher adherence to medication amongst participants in month 4 versus month 0.
Conclusion
Pharmacist-enabled interventions, including reminders and advice, following targeted training, may positively impact on patient medication adherence in chronic health conditions.
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