Evaluation of a hybrid medication synchronization training module for pharmacy technicians

Abstract

BackgroundMedication synchronization involves coordinating a patient’s medications to a single date each month. Medication synchronization programs close gaps in care and improve adherence compared with automatic refill-processing programs. Patients are 2-6 times more adherent to medications when enrolled in a medication synchronization program. Medication synchronization has historically been driven by pharmacists; however, pharmacy technicians are in a unique position to logistically run this service. ObjectiveThis study aimed to develop a training program for pharmacy technicians regarding medication synchronization and assess changes in knowledge and confidence before and after implementing a training program. Practice descriptionAn independent community pharmacy in North Carolina. Pharmacists provide medication therapy management, reimbursed clinical services, medication synchronization, and immunizations. Practice innovationThe training program included medication synchronization basics, patient enrollment process, processing a synced patient, and a hands-on practice session. Evaluation methodsTechnicians took a pretraining questionnaire assessing knowledge and confidence before immediately completing a one-on-one pharmacist-led training session with a hands-on component on medication synchronization. Technicians took the same post-training questionnaire 2 weeks after completing the training session and using medication synchronization in daily workflow. Pre- and post-training scores were assessed using a paired samples t test. ResultsTen technicians completed the training program; 40% of the technicians were certified and 30% were enrolled in a PharmD program. The mean pretraining knowledge score was 78% (7.1 of 9 points), the mean post-training knowledge score was 92% (8.3 of 9 points), and the mean difference between the pre- and post-training knowledge scores was 13.4% (1.2 points), with a statistically significant difference (P = 0.0026). Confidence with conducting a medication synchronization call increased from 7.2 to 9.6 on a 10-point Likert scale, and confidence scores increased regarding incorporating medication synchronization into workflow from 6.9 to 8.7. ConclusionThe standardized technician training program increased knowledge and confidence in technicians regarding managing a medication synchronization program.