Patients and healthcare professionals views on injectables for cardiovascular disease

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Injectable medicines are increasingly used to manage risk factors for cardiovascular (CV) events, such as PCSK-9 inhibitors in dyslipidaemia and GLP-1 agonists in diabetes. However, there is a paucity of data around the administrative and clinical practicalities when using these injectables, and limited information on patient and healthcare professionals' perceptions. Purpose To identify the facilitators and barriers on the use of injectable therapies with CV benefits by undertaking interviews with patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals (HCPs). Methods Interviews were conducted via telephone and using MS Teams due to Covid-19 restrictions in the United Kingdom (London and Leeds) and Italy (Rome and Milan) in 2021. Coding was undertaken using NVivo and thematic analysis performed. Results A total of 56 patients were interviewed: 30 in the U.K. (mean age 66 yrs, 60% male) and 26 patients in Italy (mean age 63 yrs, 80% male) and 11 caregivers (mean age 59 yrs, 73% female). A total of 38 HCPs were interviewed, 19 in each country and composed of physicians (n=18), pharmacists (n=10), nurses (n=9) and pharmacy technician (n=1). Three distinct themes were identified: (i) Organisational and governance issues - relating to prescribing restrictions and availability of the drugs locally (PCSK9i are initiated and supplied from hospitals) and lack of communication between hospital and primary care setting; (ii) Clinical issues around HCPs' skills and experience - including: lack of experience with these injectables, lack of time to provide education to patients and caregivers, therapeutic inertia (HCPs not adopting a change in practice despite the evidence or due to bureaucratic restrictions) as well as lack of knowledge on long-term effects, and finally (iii) Patient-related issues - relating to behaviours and beliefs such as reluctance about using injectable therapies, and lack of education about these injectables in terms of indications/clinical benefits for use. Despite some differences in the prescribing of these injectables in the two countries, the analysis captured similar facilitators and barriers. Facilitators included prior use of injectables (e.g. insulin), and the ability to reach a clinical target of lower cholesterol by having just a “one shot”. HCPs stated that access to rapid pathology tests would aid uptake of injectables with CV benefit as well as having educational tools on these injectables in practice. Conclusion This qualitative study identified barriers to initiation, continuation, and adherence with injectable therapies with CV benefits but also highlighted areas where changes can be made especially around education and support for patients and HCPs. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): ACNAP education grant. Sponsored by Amgem and Novo Nordisk