Impact of Patient Counseling on Medication Adherence, Beliefs and Satisfaction about Oral Chemotherapies in Patients with Metastatic Cancer at a Super Specialty Hospital

Impact of pharmacist-led interventions on medication-related problems among patients treated for cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials

BACKGROUND

Medication-related problems (MRPs) continue to impose a voluminous health impact, particularly among patients on anti-cancer therapy, due to the nature and complexity of the care. Pharmacists have a pivotal role in ensuring the safe, effective, and rational use of medicines in this group of patients.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the impact of pharmacist-led interventions in resolving MRPs among patients treated for cancer.

METHODS

This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted and reported following the PRISMA protocol and registered in PROSPERO (Registration number: CRD42022311535). Four database searches, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, and International Pharmaceuticals Abstracts, were systematically searched from August 2022 to January 2023. Only randomized control trials (RCTs) were included. The Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool was used to check the quality of the included studies. The outcome measures were overall MRPs, adherence, medication errors, and adverse drug events (ADEs). Data for meta-analysis were analyzed used using STATA version 17 and standardized mean difference effect sizes were calculated for continuous outcomes and odds ratio for categorical outcomes.

RESULTS

Out of the 90 studies screened for eligibility, 20 RCT studies were included for the systematic review and 15 for the meta-analysis. Close to two-thirds of the studies were from Europe (n = 7) and Asia (n = 6). A combination of educational and behavioral intervention strategies were used for a period ranged from 8 days to 12 months. The pharmacist-led intervention improved adherence to treatment by 4.79 times (AOR = 4.79; 95%CI = 2.64, 8.68; p-value<0.0001), reduced the occurrence of ADEs by 1.28 (SMD = -1.28; 95%CI = -0.04-2.52; p-value = 0.04) and decreased the overall MRPs by 0.53 (SMD = -0.53; 95%CI = -0.79, -0.28; p-value<0.0001) compared to control groups.

CONCLUSION

This study found out that pharmacist-led interventions can significantly lower MRPs among patients treated for cancer. Hence, a global concerted effort has to be made to integrate pharmacists in a multidisciplinary direct cancer care.

Determinants of Adherence to Antihypertension Medications Among Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan, 2019

INTRODUCTION

Medication nonadherence leads to poor health outcomes, frequent complications, and high economic impact. Our objective was to assess the determinants of adherence to medication regimens among patients with hypertension.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients with hypertension attending the cardiology clinic of a tertiary care hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan. Data were collected by using semistructured questionnaires. A score of 7 or 8 on the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale was classified as good adherence, 6 as moderate, and less than 6 as nonadherence. Logistic regression was performed to determine covariates associated with medication adherence.

RESULTS

We enrolled 450 patients with hypertension (mean age, 54.5 y; SD, 10.6). Medication adherence was good among 115 (25.6%) patients and moderate among 165 (36.7%); 170 (37.8%) patients were nonadherent. Most patients (72.7%) had uncontrolled hypertension. Nearly half (49.6%) were unable to afford monthly medication. In bivariate analysis, nonadherence was associated with female sex (odds ratio [OR], 1.44; P = .003) and long waiting times in the health care facility (OR, 2.93; P = .005); the presence of comorbidities (OR, 0.62; P = .01) was associated with good adherence. In multivariate analysis, nonadherence was associated with unaffordability of treatment (OR, 2.25; P = .002) and uncontrolled hypertension (OR, 3.16; P < .001). Good adherence determinants included adequate counseling (OR, 0.29; P < .001) and education (OR, 0.61; P = .02).

CONCLUSION

Addressing identified barriers, including medication affordability and patient counseling, should be included in Pakistan's national policy on noncommunicable disease.

An evaluation of cancer patients' opinions about use of opioid analgesics and the role of clinical pharmacist in patient education in Turkey

Background Patients' potential misconceptions and concerns about using opioids are among the primary causes of patient-related barriers that may lead to failure in pain management. These barriers can be eliminated through educational interventions, thus achieving better pain management. Objective The aim of this study was to assess patients' beliefs about opioids, reduce the impact of patient-related barriers through educational intervention by a clinical pharmacist, and improve patients' adherence to opioid analgesic treatment. Setting The study was conducted in the Hacettepe University Training and Research Oncology Hospital, Department of Algology in Ankara, Turkey. Method A prospective study conducted between September, 2018 and May, 2019. Patients were included who had been diagnosed with cancer, had been prescribed opioid analgesics, and who attended the pain unit during the period this study was conducted. Patients' beliefs about opioids were assessed using the Beliefs about Medicine Questionnaire (BMQ) right before and 1 month after an educational intervention was provided by a clinical pharmacist. Also, patients' adherence to the opioid regimen was assessed using a validated Self-Report Measure of Adherence questions in Turkish. Main outcome measure The mean scores of the BMQ Necessity Subscale and Concern Subscale, and a level of adherence to opioid treatment. Results Sixty patients who met the inclusion criteria were included and follow-up was completed with 38 patients. Although an increase was detected in the total score of the Necessity subscale after provision of education (p = 0.398), a statistically significant (p < 0.001) decrease was found in the total score of the 'Concern' subscale, which suggests that patients believe the benefits of opioids outweigh the risks. The patients' pain scores were decreased (p = 0.004); furthermore a significant increase was found in the adherence scores (3.16-3.55) (p = 0.027), and a high level of adherence was observed among the patients in the post-education assessment (p = 0.021). Conclusion The integration of a clinical pharmacist into the pain management team may have a positive impact on the patients' knowledge, concerns and misconceptions about opioids, which may improve adherence and effective pain management in cancer treatment.

Interventions to Enhance Adherence to Oral Antineoplastic Agents: A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

As new targeted oral antineoplastic therapies have emerged in recent years, the development of effective strategies that promote optimal adherence to cancer medication regimens has become an important priority.

METHODS

We conducted a scoping literature review to search for English language articles published through July 15, 2019, to identify studies that reported the testing and/or evaluation of interventions to improve adherence to oral antineoplastic agents.

RESULTS

A total of 56 articles were selected for review. Of the studies evaluated, 14 were randomized trials. All interventions except two targeted adult patients. Thirty-three studies enrolled fewer than 100 patients. Most interventions were education- and counseling-based and centered on provision of information about the drug and strategies to manage side effects. Only eight studies used an mHealth tool and/or text messages to target nonadherence. Among studies with a comparison sample, fewer than one-half (44.7%) reported statistically significant improvements in adherence or persistence associated with the intervention; however, some pharmacist-directed programs, particularly those that integrated monitoring or routine follow-up with a provider, did demonstrate efficacy.

CONCLUSION

Although the development of adherence-promoting interventions for oral antineoplastic therapies has increased recently, few have been rigorously tested. The nascent literature suggests those that are pharmacist directed and use regular monitoring show promise, though additional prospective studies are needed. Study methodology, population selection, and potential challenges that may be encountered in the implementation and dissemination phases should be considered when developing new interventions to address nonadherence to oral antineoplastic treatment.

Patient-Centered Standards for Medically Integrated Dispensing: ASCO/NCODA Standards

PURPOSE

To provide standards for medically integrated dispensing of oral anticancer drugs and supportive care medications.

METHODS

An Expert Panel was formed, and a systematic review of the literature on patient-centered best practices for the delivery of oral anticancer and supportive care drugs was performed to April 2019 using PubMed and Google Scholar. Available patient-centered standards, including one previously developed by the National Community Oncology Dispensing Association (NCODA), were considered for endorsement. Public comments were solicited and considered in preparation of the final manuscript.

RESULTS

A high-quality systematic review that was current to May 2016 was adopted into the evidence base. Five additional primary studies of multifaceted interventions met the inclusion criteria. These studies generally included a multicomponent intervention, often led by an oncology pharmacist, and also included patient education and regular follow-up and monitoring. These interventions resulted in significant improvements to patient quality and safety and demonstrated improvements in adherence and other patient outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The findings of the systematic review were consistent with the NCODA patient-centered standards for patient relationships and education, adherence, safety, collection of data, documentation, and other areas. NCODA standards were adopted and used as basis for these American Society of Clinical Oncology/NCODA standards. Additional information is available at www.asco.org/mid-standards .

Counseling of inhalation medicine perceived by patients and their healthcare providers: insights from North Cyprus

Background In order to achieve patient adherence, individuals require different levels of information. Basic and adequate information must be provided by different health care providers to patients. Objective To assess the information level of patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to determine the source of their information regarding the medicine they use in addition to their satisfaction, inhalation usage techniques and perception of the information providing role of health care professionals. Setting Respiratory disease clinics in Nicosia and Famagusta state hospitals and community pharmacies in North Cyprus. Method A cross-sectional multicentered observational study was carried out in respiratory disease clinics and community pharmacies. Patients' knowledge and healthcare providers' perceptions of their roles were evaluated using "The satisfaction with information about medicines scale". Evaluation of patient's inhalation techniques was performed using a validated checklist. Main outcome measure (a) Patients' knowledge of their medication and satisfaction with the information provided by health care professionals, (b) the prevalence of critical inhalation mistakes, (c) health care professionals' perceptions of their patient counseling practice. Results A total of 110 patients were evaluated, and 6 physicians and 76 pharmacists were recruited for the interview. The health care professionals reported that they talk about the action and the use of medicines with the patients. The standardized average patients' satisfaction score for action and use was 0.35 (± 0.21), whereas for potential side effects, it was 0.26 (± 0.15). Even though 92% of patients believed that they use their inhaler properly, 75% of the patients made at least one critical mistake while using the inhalation demo, which would likely affect the delivery of the medicine to the lungs. Conclusion In spite of health care professionals feeling comfortable with their counseling practices, the majority of patients reported dissatisfaction with the information they provided about medicine, and three out of four patients were making critical mistakes in the use of inhalers. More effort is warranted by health care professionals on patient education to limit critical mistakes.

Patient satisfaction with information on oral anticancer agent use

Adequate information on oral anticancer agent (OACA) use is an essential element of optimal cancer care. The present study aimed to get insight into the experiences of patients with information on OACA treatment and their characteristics regarding information dissatisfaction. Patients of four Dutch university hospitals using OACA participated in this observational study and completed the Satisfaction with Information about Medicines Scale (SIMS), EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30, Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, and Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire-Specific. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine factors associated with dissatisfaction with information. Patients (n = 208) using capecitabine (35%), lenalidomide (15%), imatinib (14%), temozolomide (12%), sunitinib (11%), thalidomide (5%), dasatinib (4%), erlotinib (2%), and nilotinib (2%) participated. Information on the following SIMS-items was inadequate: how OACA elicit their effect, how long it takes before treatment works, how to conclude that treatment is effective, the risk of side effects and its management, interference with sex life, drowsiness, interference with other medication and alcohol and what to do in case of a missed dose. Younger age, hematological malignancy, dyspnoea, positive perception of consequences of the cancer, low perception of treatment control, and indifferent attitude towards OACA were associated with dissatisfaction with information. In conclusion, a considerable number of patients would have appreciated receiving more information on specific issues relating to the consequences of OACA treatment such as the effects and side effects of OACA and the interference of treatment with various aspects of their daily life. Oncologists, hematologists, lung-oncologists and pharmacists may reconsider the provision of information on OACA treatment.

Prediction of cardiovascular risk in cancer patients of South India using WHO/ISH risk prediction charts and Framingham score - A prospective study

Objective Despite the fact that cancer and heart diseases are interconnected, there is lack of information about the prevalence of cardiovascular risk in cancer patients in the South Indian population. With this background, the present study sought to predict the cardiovascular disease in cancer patients. Methods A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Medical Oncology, Sri Ramachandra University and Hospital, India. Patients' demographic details, medical information, height, weight, body mass index, blood pressure, total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were measured. Two risk prediction tools, namely World Health Organization/International Society of hypertension (WHO/ISH) risk prediction charts and Framingham score were used to assess the prevalence of cardiovascular risk over 10 years. Results A total of 70 patients were included for the study. Breast and stomach cancer were found to be most among the study patients. Cardiovascular disease was assessed using WHO/ISH and Framingham risk assessment tool. With respect to WHO/ISH risk, there is a significant difference in gender, type of cancer, smoking status and age between the risk groups. Males have a high risk compared to females, and smokers have a high risk compared to non-smokers. With respect to Framingham score, there is a significant difference in gender, smoking status and systolic blood pressure between the risk groups. Males have a high risk compared to females, and smokers have a high risk compared to non-smokers. A moderate degree of agreement exists between the two risk prediction tools. Conclusion The findings of the study revealed that there is a low risk of cardiovascular disease in cancer patients.