Strategies For Medication Adherence Research Articles

Assessing the impact of telephone call intervention on medication adherence in individuals with mental health disorders: A longitudinal study in a tertiary facility in Volta Region

Medication adherence strategies that are successful, suitable and economical are vital to the treatment outcome of persons living with mental illness. Mobile-phone-based intervention is one such strategy and is particularly critical to reducing medication non-adherence, especially in mental health disorders. This study aimed to assess the impact of telephone adherence counselling on medication adherence in persons with mental health disorders. A longitudinal study was conducted on study participants who were randomly assigned to control and intervention groups over three months. Both groups received standard medication adherence counselling for the first month and then baseline adherence levels were determined using the medication adherence rating scale (MARS). The control group received standard medication adherence counselling at the psychiatric clinic whilst the intervention group received additional telephone calls made to each member of the intervention group once a week for a total of 8 times over 2 months. Of the patients who were screened for potential participation, 149 participants passed and 87 participants participated making a response rate of 58.40 %. The t-test conducted on the participants after the first (Month 2) and second (Month 3) on those with Telephone Call Intervention inferred significant statistical differences (p < 0.001). MARS Scores appreciated in the intervention group compared to the control group in Month 2 (1.64) and Month 3 (1.79). A positive impact of Telephone Call Interventions on medication adherence was achieved. This intervention can be a medication adherence strategy to supplement the standard medication adherence counselling which could improve treatment outcomes.

O44 LOW ADHERENCE TO HYPERTENSION MANAGEMENT IN THE COLOMBIAN COMMUNITY IMPLEMENTATION RE-HOPE STUDY

Background and objective: Uncontrolled hypertension is a leading cause of death worldwide, and it's associated with a high socioeconomic burden. Demographic, social, behavioral, and health system-related factors contribute to low adherence to hypertension management. Recognizing adherence rates is a mainstay for improving hypertension control. This study examined the level of adherence to hypertension management and control in the participants belonging to the implementation, integration, and institutionalization of a community-based care strategy to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in Santander (ReHOPE) study. Methods This cross-sectional analysis was conducted in 12 municipalities of Santander, Colombia, from May to December 2023. Participants over 18 with hypertension, not in a cardiovascular risk program, were included. Data were collected door-to-door by trained community health providers using standardized questionnaires for socio-demographic information, medication use, lifestyle details, and hypertension knowledge. Physical exams provided anthropometric and blood pressure values. Medication adherence was assessed with the Morisky 4-item scale. Continuous variables are presented as central tendency measures, and categorical variables as frequencies and proportions. Analysis was performed using R software. Results: A total of 2,617 participants were included. The mean age was 65.09 (SD 12.09), and 64.3% were women. The mean systolic blood pressure was 133.94 mmHg (SD 16.53). The median waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) was 0.96 (IQR 0.92-1.00) in men and 0.91 (IQR 0.87-0.96) in women. Among participants, 33.9% had uncontrolled hypertension, 28.5% were not aware of their condition, and 69.2% reported no physical activity. High WHR was found in 84.8% of the participants. Antihypertensive monotherapy use was reported in half of the participants (53.8%). The most frequently used pharmacological group was angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (81.8%). Hypertension control was observed in 66.1%, and 12.6% had high adherence. Conclusions: Low medication adherence was observed, only 12.6% of participants reported high adherence and nearly 40% had uncontrolled hypertension. Additionally, nearly 30% were undetected by the healthcare system. Thus, improving medication adherence and healthcare strategies is essential to enhance health outcomes.

Formative Perceptions of a Digital Pill System to Measure Adherence to Heart Failure Pharmacotherapy: Mixed Methods Study.

Heart failure (HF) affects 6.2 million Americans and is a leading cause of hospitalization. The mainstay of the management of HF is adherence to pharmacotherapy. Despite the effectiveness of HF pharmacotherapy, effectiveness is closely linked to adherence. Measuring adherence to HF pharmacotherapy is difficult; most clinical measures use indirect strategies such as calculating pharmacy refill data or using self-report. While helpful in guiding treatment adjustments, indirect measures of adherence may miss the detection of suboptimal adherence and co-occurring structural barriers associated with nonadherence. Digital pill systems (DPSs), which use an ingestible radiofrequency emitter to directly measure medication ingestions in real-time, represent a strategy for measuring and responding to nonadherence in the context of HF pharmacotherapy. Previous work has demonstrated the feasibility of using DPSs to measure adherence in other chronic diseases, but this strategy has yet to be leveraged for individuals with HF. We aim to explore through qualitative interviews the facilitators and barriers to using DPS technology to monitor pharmacotherapy adherence among patients with HF. We conducted individual, semistructured qualitative interviews and quantitative assessments between April and August 2022. A total of 20 patients with HF who were admitted to the general medical or cardiology service at an urban quaternary care hospital participated in this study. Participants completed a qualitative interview exploring the overall acceptability of and willingness to use DPS technology for adherence monitoring and perceived barriers to DPS use. Quantitative assessments evaluated HF history, existing medication adherence strategies, and attitudes toward technology. We analyzed qualitative data using applied thematic analysis and NVivo software (QSR International). Most participants (12/20, 60%) in qualitative interviews reported a willingness to use the DPS to measure HF medication adherence. Overall, the DPS was viewed as useful for increasing accountability and reinforcing adherence behaviors. Perceived barriers included technological issues, a lack of need, additional costs, and privacy concerns. Most were open to sharing adherence data with providers to bolster clinical care and decision-making. Reminder messages following detected nonadherence were perceived as a key feature, and customization was desired. Suggested improvements are primarily related to the design and usability of the Reader (a wearable device). Overall, individuals with HF perceived the DPS to be an acceptable and useful tool for measuring medication adherence. Accurate, real-time ingestion data can guide adherence counseling to optimize adherence management and inform tailored behavioral interventions to support adherence among patients with HF.

Exploratory analysis of medication adherence and social determinants of health among older adults with diabetes

BackgroundDiabetes is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States (US), affecting approximately 27%, or 15.9 million adults 65 years of age and older. Diabetes is the most expensive chronic condition in the US and accounts for the second largest avoidable healthcare cost. Adherence to long-term medication treatment plans is crucial among patients with diabetes because it decreases risk of developing comorbid conditions and improves quality of life. Greater exposure to adverse social determinants of health (SDOH) over an individual's lifespan can result in worse health outcomes. Hence, it is important to obtain a better understanding of how social determinants of health (SDOH) influence patients' behaviors and affect medication adherence among older adults with diabetes. ObjectivesIdentify and prioritize SDOH associated with medication adherence among a nationally representative sample of older adults with diabetes. Secondary objectives were to characterize SDOH, estimate medication adherence, and explain implications for health disparity populations among older adults in the US who have been diagnosed with diabetes. MethodsThis study used a cross-sectional secondary data analysis to examine the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database, identifying associations between SDOH and medication adherence among older adults with diabetes in the US. ResultsA total of 1807 respondents' data were included in the analyses. Nearly three-quarters (73.9%) of patients were considered adherent to their oral diabetes medications. Multivariable analysis revealed significant differences in medication adherence based on disability status (p = 0.016), household balanced meals (p = 0.033), and interview language (p = 0.008). ConclusionsResults revealed those with a disability, those who could not afford a balanced meal, and/or those who spoke English were associated with a higher likelihood of being nonadherent to their diabetes medications in comparison to individuals not in these groups. These findings can assist in developing SDOH-centered medication adherence strategies for pharmacists to implement with older patients with diabetes.

The Medication Use Issues and Challenges of Mental Illness Exacerbation in Patients with Schizophrenia: A Qualitative Study in Thailand.

Patients with schizophrenia often experience mental illness exacerbations, which lead to frequent re-hospitalization. Non-adherence to medication is the main cause of relapses, despite many patients requiring lifelong treatment. Non-adherence consequences include higher re-admission and suicide rates, worse progression of mental illness, higher rates of violence by patients with mental illness, and increased use of emergency psychiatric services. This directly impacts the cost and workload of the mental healthcare system. This study aims to understand medication non-adherence among schizophrenia patients in Thailand based on the country's specific context. This qualitative research study explored the causes of non-adherence to medication and health perceptions among patients with schizophrenia in Thailand. Five patients with schizophrenia were included in this study. Data was collected through in-depth interviews, recordings of treatments, and field notes based on the interpretive perspective of key informants with the concept of phenomenology. Thematic analysis revealed two main themes associated with mental illness exacerbation: triggers of exacerbation and medication non-adherence. The triggers that emerged from the data were substance abuse and psychological stress. Medication non-adherence issues were misunderstandings about mental illness and its treatment, lack of participation in treatment, and difficulty accessing mental health services. This study explored the importance of medication adherence in patients with schizophrenia. Non-adherence to medication can worsen mental illness and create a vicious cycle that makes treatment more challenging. Substance abuse and psychological stress can also exacerbate this cycle. Mental health services should strive to improve medication adherence strategies and offer social support to prevent harmful behaviors and break the vicious cycle.

Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Medication Adherence Facilitators and Strategies: A Qualitative Study.

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. 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. 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. 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.

Patient and healthcare team recommended medication adherence strategies for hydroxychloroquine: results of a qualitative study informing intervention development

ObjectivePatients identified as black and from disadvantaged backgrounds have a twofold higher hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) non-adherence, which contributes to worse lupus outcomes and disparities. Yet, most adherence interventions lack tailored strategies...

Understanding barriers to and strategies for medication adherence in COPD: a qualitative study

BackgroundMedication adherence in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is low, though not enough is known about the factors that affect adherence in COPD. This study uses qualitative methods to understand the patient perspective on facilitators and barriers to medication adherence in COPD as well as patient-reported strategies for self-management of disease.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 individuals (n = 30). Transcripts were analyzed using iterative qualitative coding by 2 independent coders, and codes were categorized using thematic analysis.ResultsChallenges with adherence reported were gaps in understanding, forgetfulness of the patient, physician availability, cost navigation, and overcoming substance use. Most commonly, the financial burden of COPD medications caused patients to source other countries to obtain medications, rely on sample medications collected during doctors’ visits, and to alter medication dosage and frequency to extend the length of a prescription. Tools and resources reported by patients to support self-management of COPD included pharmacist assistance, physician office information, and community resources. Individuals further reported that the use of logs or diaries to track medication usage, visual or temporal cues to take medications, and support from family members were helpful in promoting adherence to their COPD medication regimen.ConclusionsMedication adherence in individuals with COPD is affected by challenges with self-management of disease and financial burden of medications. However, patients reported multiple tools and resources to support adherence. Physician recognition of these factors impacting self-management, as well as awareness of strategies to promote adherence and manage disease, may improve patient outcomes.

Exploring Stem Cell Transplanted Patients' Perspectives on Medication Self-Management and Electronic Monitoring Devices Measuring Medication Adherence: A Qualitative Sub-Study of the Swiss SMILe Implementation Science Project.

PurposeLittle is known about allogeneic stem cell transplant (alloSCT) patients’ medication adherence strategies. Acceptability and preferences regarding electronic monitoring (EM) systems to assess all three phases of medication adherence (ie, initiation, implementation, persistence) are crucial to allow their successful implementation in clinical or research settings but have not yet been evaluated. We therefore aimed to explore: 1) alloSCT patients’ medication adherence and self-management strategies; and 2) their acceptability and preferences of three different EM systems (MEMS Cap, Helping Hand, Button) as part of the Swiss SMILe study.Patients and MethodsRespecting anti-pandemic measures, we used a purposive sample of six adult alloSCT patients from the University Hospital Basel, Switzerland (USB)—6 weeks to 2 years post-alloSCT—to conduct three focus group sessions with two patients each. Using a semi-structured outline, we explored 1) patients’ medication adherence strategies and medication self-management; and 2) their acceptance and preferences regarding EM use. The three tested EM systems were available for testing during each session. Discussions were audio-recorded, visualized using mind-mapping and analyzed using Mayring’s qualitative content analysis.ResultsPatients (33% females; mean age 54.6±16.3 years; 10.4±8.4 months post-alloSCT) used medication adherence enhancing strategies (eg, preparing pillbox, linking intake to a habit). Still, they indicated that post-alloSCT medication management was challenging (eg, frequent schedule changes). All participants preferred the MEMS Button. Participants said its small size and the possibility to combine it with existing pillboxes (eg, putting it into/next to them) made them more confident about implementing it in their daily lives.ConclusionRegarding EM systems for medication adherence, end-user preferences and acceptability influence adoption and fidelity. Of the three systems tested, our sample found the MEMS Button most acceptable and most preferable. Therefore, we will use it for our USB SMILe study.

Cost-Effectiveness of Recommendations From the Surgeon General's Call-to-Action to Control Hypertension.

In response to high prevalence of hypertension and suboptimal rates of blood pressure (BP) control in the United States, the Surgeon General released a Call-to-Action to Control Hypertension (Call-to-Action) in the fall of 2020 to address the negative consequences of uncontrolled BP. In addition to morbidity and mortality associated with hypertension, hypertension has an annual cost to the US healthcare system of $71 billion. The Call-to-Action makes recommendations for improving BP control, and the purpose of this review was to summarize the literature on the cost-effectiveness of these strategies. We identified a number of studies that demonstrate the cost saving or cost-effectiveness of recommendations in the Call-to-Action including strategies to promote access to and availability of physical activity opportunities and healthy food options within communities, advance the use of standardized treatment approaches and guideline-recommended care, to promote the use of healthcare teams to manage hypertension, and to empower and equip patients to use self-measured BP monitoring and medication adherence strategies. While the current review identified numerous cost-effective methods to achieve the Surgeon General's recommendations for improving BP control, future work should determine the cost-effectiveness of the 2017 American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association Hypertension guidelines, interventions to lower therapeutic inertia, and optimal team-based care strategies, among other areas of research. Economic evaluation studies should also be prioritized to generate more comprehensive data on how to provide efficient and high value care to improve BP control.

A mental health professional survey of cognitive-behavioral therapy for the treatment of opioid use disorder.

The objective of this survey was to obtain mental health professional perspectives on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment. Respondents (N = 84) rated components of CBT for their efficacy in OUD treatment. Ratings were reported for the overall sample, by degree completed, and by clinicians versus nonclinicians. Respondents also ranked additional therapeutic strategies that might enhance the efficacy of CBT for OUD. Respondents rated treatment alliance/rapport, coping skills, and motivational interviewing as the most effective CBT components for OUD. Forms and worksheets were rated as the least effective component. The most beneficial additions to CBT for OUD would be mindfulness, peer support, and medication adherence strategies. Finally, the survey responses suggested that addressing co-morbid mental health disorders and life stressors may be important within CBT treatment for OUD.

Medication adherence early after stroke: using the Perceptions and Practicalities Framework to explore stroke survivors', informal carers' and nurses' experiences of barriers and solutions.

BackgroundSecondary prevention medication after stroke reduces risk of recurrence, but adherence is often poor. Stroke survivors’, carers’ and nurses’ perspectives of early post-stroke medication adherence are unexplored.AimThe aim of this study was to explore stroke survivors’, carers’ and nurses’ views and experiences about adhering to medication early after post-stroke hospital discharge.MethodsQualitative individual and group interviews, utilising the Perceptions and Practicalities Framework, were employed. Nine people <2 months post-stroke, three carers and 15 nurses from one UK stroke unit participated. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed.ResultsThere were four main themes with two sub-themes. (1) Perceptions of medication taking after stroke. Factors affecting adherence included depression, imperceptible benefits and concerns about adverse effects. (2) Perceptions about those at higher risk of poor medication adherence. Nurses suggested that poor adherence might be more likely in those living alone or with previous non-adherence. (3) Practicalities of taking medication early after stroke; these included post-stroke disabilities, cognition, polypharmacy and lack of information. (4a) Practicalities of addressing poor medication adherence during the hospital stay. Solutions included multidisciplinary co-ordination, but nurses and stroke survivors described suboptimal use of opportunities to promote adherence. (4b) Practicalities of addressing poor medication adherence post-discharge. Solutions included modifications and support from carers, but stroke survivors reported difficulties in evolving systems for taking medications.ConclusionsStroke survivors and informal carers lack knowledge and support needed to manage medication early after discharge. Nurses’ opportunities to promote medication adherence are under-exploited. Medication adherence strategies to support stroke survivors early after discharge are needed.

Prospective memory and spontaneous compensatory mnemonic strategy use in the laboratory and daily life in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders

ABSTRACT Introduction Older adults with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) are at high risk for deficits in the resource-demanding, strategic aspects of prospective memory (PM) that can adversely affect health outcomes. This study examined the frequency and correlates of spontaneous compensatory strategy use during a laboratory-based PM task and its associations with the use of mnemonic strategies in daily life. Method Participants included 53 older adults with HAND, 89 older persons with HIV without HAND, and 62 seronegatives who completed the Cambridge Prospective Memory Test (CAMPROMPT), on which the type, frequency, and quality of their compensatory strategy use was quantified. Participants also completed self-report measures of PM symptoms and the frequency of mnemonic compensatory strategy use in daily life. Result There were no significant group-level effects on strategy use during the CAMPROMPT. Persons with HAND had moderately lower time-, but not event-based PM scores. Higher compensatory strategy use was strongly associated with better PM, particularly for time-based cues. Moreover, higher compensatory strategy use on the CAMPROMPT was associated with more frequent general mnemonic strategy use in daily life, and specifically with more frequent use of internal PM strategies (e.g., visualization) for medication adherence. Conclusion Spontaneous compensatory mnemonic strategy use can support PM performance among older adults with HAND in the laboratory. Strategy use in the laboratory may be a marker for the extent to which older adults with HAND use other compensatory strategies to support memory in their daily life. Future studies may examine whether compensatory mnemonic strategies can be taught and used to support PM in the daily lives of older persons with HIV disease.

O9.7. TECHNOLOGY ASSISTED RELAPSE PREVENTION PROGRAM REDUCES HOSPITALIZATION IN SCHIZOPHRENIA PATIENTS AT HIGH RISK FOR RELAPSE

BackgroundPsychiatric hospitalization is a major driver of cost in the treatment of schizophrenia. During the first six months after a hospitalization, patients are at increased risk for return to the hospital. Targeting treatment during this period may be especially valuable. Mobilizing a range of treatment enhancements using both smart phones and computers to support patients by individualizing treatment to specific needs may be especially beneficial. The Improving Care Reducing Cost (ICRC) program sought to determine whether a novel, multicomponent, and technology-enhanced approach to relapse prevention in outpatients following a psychiatric hospitalization could reduce days spent in a hospital after discharge.MethodsThe ICRC study was a quasi-experimental clinical trial in outpatients with schizophrenia conducted between February 2013 and April 2015 at 10 sites in the US that provide both in and outpatient. Data were obtained from 89 participants who received usual relapse prevention services, followed by a second cohort of 349 participants who received technology-enhanced relapse prevention program. Both groups were followed for 6 months. Patients were between 18 and 60 years old; had a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or psychotic disorder not otherwise specified; and were currently hospitalized or had been hospitalized within the past 30 days at consent. The first cohort received usual care; the second cohort received the Health Technology Program (HTP) a technology-enhanced relapse prevention program. HTP included medication treatment guided by a computer decision support system for the prescriber, a smartphone application for patients that supported medication adherence and other coping strategies, a web-based patient and family psycho-educational intervention, and web-accessed cognitive behavioral therapy for paranoia and hallucinations. A mental health technology coach provided technical support, and developed a personalized, structured, relapse prevention plan with each participant that identified individual relapse precipitants and determined which HTP components should be employed to address them. All patients received computers and Android smartphones to insure access to the interventions. Days spent in a psychiatric hospital during 6 months after discharge was assessed. The Heinrichs Carpenter Quality of Life Scale was completed at baseline and six months.ResultsThe study included 438 patients. Control participants (N = 89; 37 females) were enrolled first and received usual care for relapse prevention, and followed by 349 participants (128 females) who received the HTP. Days of hospitalization were reduced by 4 days (Mean days: b = -4.25, 95% CI: -8.29; -0.21, P = 0.039) during follow-up in the intervention condition compared to control. Finally, using Heinrichs Carpenter Quality of Life total score at month 6 as an outcome, we found no significant effect of HTP (β = 0.02, t (345) = 0.43, P = 0.668).DiscussionRecently hospitalized patients with schizophrenia who received an integrated technology informed relapse prevention program (HTP) experienced fewer days in the hospital compared to those who received usual care in the six months following their discharge. Given the high patient burden and costs of even a single day spent in a psychiatric hospital, estimated at $1358 per day based on inflation adjusted results from a recent study, our findings imply total savings in psychiatric inpatient expenditures of $5772 during the first 6 months after discharge on average. However, reduction in hospitalization days did not result in a parallel improvement in functioning as assessed by the Quality of Life Scale.Although the control and experimental cohorts were comparable in many characteristics, the quasi–experimental design represented by sequential cohorts rather than a true concurrent randomized controlled trial represents a limitation. The results of the study suggest that technology enhanced treatments that are tailored to patient needs can be implemented in a range of clinical settings in the US to patients at high risk of hospitalization and that the intervention can reduce subsequent hospitalization days. Future research should address limitations in the current study design and will benefit from the development of technology applications that can be available on a single flexible platform.

The Effectiveness of a Brief Psychological Intervention for Patients with Diabetes-Related Distress.

Background:Diabetes-related distress (DRD) is the negative emotional and psychological reaction to living with diabetes mellitus (DM). DRD has been reported to affect glycemic control and self-management practices adversely. Limited research is available on the effectiveness of psychological interventions for DRD. We aimed to study the effectiveness of a brief psychological intervention for patients with DRD.Methods:The findings of a targeted brief psychological intervention conducted for patients with DRD, as a part of psycho-endocrinology liaison services in a general hospital, are reported. Details regarding the assessment and intervention given were collected from the patients’ records. Forty-one patients with DRD diagnosed using Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS) were given the single session intervention consisting of brief diabetes education focusing on physical activity and medication adherence, relaxation techniques, and illness-specific problem-solving strategies. Effectiveness was assessed using change in Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S), patient-rated visual analog scale, brief physical activity questionnaire, and medication adherence at baseline and 2-month follow-up.Results:Analysis using Wilcoxon signed rank test found a significant change in the follow-up scores on all the assessment scales.Conclusions:The study highlights the benefits of brief intervention for reducing DRD, thus reducing the emotional burden of living with DM.

2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults: Executive Summary: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines.

2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults: Executive Summary: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines.

Community pharmacist led, employer-based wellness services: A pilot study.

The emphasis that United States employers are placing on employee wellness continues to grow; however, most attention has been paid to larger firms to gauge return-on-investment from a larger pool of enrollees. With fewer resources available to fund expansive wellness programs, smaller businesses need a cost-effective mechanism to provide such benefits. As the most accessible healthcare provider, community pharmacists are in an ideal position to support certain wellness programs for smaller businesses. This research piloted a community pharmacist-led, employer-sponsored wellness program for a self-insured financial services company in Tennessee. Employees with diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, asthma, or COPD were recruited from the partnering firm to receive live, one-on-one counseling from a community pharmacist over a calendar year. Each session was tailored to individual employee's needs and goals but generally focused on medication adherence, diet, exercise, and health maintenance strategies. Fifteen employees participated in the program, and improvements in clinical measures were not realized over the course of a year. Some, albeit not statistically significant, improvements were seen in self-reported medication adherence and quality of life; however, a trend toward some weight gain was observed. Results suggest that, similar to Medicare beneficiaries, working-age adults with certain chronic conditions may benefit from pharmacist-led MTM programs but deeper investigation is needed.

Barriers and strategies for oral medication adherence among children and adolescents with Type 2 diabetes

AimsExamine barriers for taking glucose-lowering oral medications, associated baseline characteristics, strategies used, and the adherence impact in the Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth (TODAY) study. MethodsWe studied youth prescribed oral diabetes medications over two years (N = 611, 583, and 525 at 6, 12, and 24 months). Clinicians documented barriers (e.g. forgetting, routines, other concerns) in the subsample that reported missed doses (N = 423 [69.2%], 422 [72.4%], and 414 [78.9%] at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively). Adherence strategies were also assessed (e.g. family, schedule, reminder device) using standard questions. Logistic regression was used to analyze associations with medication adherence. ResultsThose missing doses were not different from the total sample (61.5% female, 13.9 ± 2.0 years, >80% racial/ethnic minorities). No baseline demographic or clinical predictors of barriers to medication adherence were identified. Among those for whom barriers were assessed, “forgetting” with no reason named (39.3%) and disruptions to mealtime, sleep, and schedule (21.9%) accounted for the largest proportion of responses. Family support was the primary adherence strategy identified by most youth (≥50%), followed by pairing the medication regimen with daily routines (>40%); the latter strategy was associated with significantly higher adherence rates (p = 0.009). ConclusionsFamily supported medication adherence was common in this mid-adolescent cohort, but self-management strategies were also in evidence. Findings are similar to those reported among youth with other serious chronic diseases. Prospective studies of multi-component family support and self-management interventions for improving medication adherence are warranted.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00081328.

Exploring Perceived Barriers to Medication Adherence and the Use of Mobile Technology in Underserved Patients With Chronic Conditions

Background and Objective: Evidence suggests that the prevalence of medication nonadherence is greater in medically underserved, low-income communities. There is paucity of qualitative data examining the potential use of mobile health (mHealth) in underserved patients. This study aimed to explore barriers to medication adherence and identify opportunities and challenges for the potential use of mHealth adherence interventions in an underserved population. Methods: A qualitative cross-sectional focus group was conducted. Focus groups were conducted with underserved patients recruited at a federally qualified health center. The Health Belief Model was used as theoretical framework to develop the focus group guide. Audio-recorded data were transcribed and thematically analyzed to identify common themes across the data set. Results: Seventeen patients participated in 4 focus groups. Findings were organized by the following themes: (1) perceived barriers to medication adherence, (2) everyday practices used to improve medication adherence, and (3) perceived benefits and barriers to technology use. Use of text messages seemed beneficial; however, not carrying a phone always was a significant barrier for patients. Some patients expressed willingness to try smartphone applications but stated that they would not be able to afford them. Changes in daily routine and complexity of medication regimens were seen as barriers to medication adherence. Conclusions: Findings underscore the importance of considering diverse experiences when engaging patients in mHealth for medication adherence. Providing patient-centered approaches to assist patients construct their individualized medication adherence strategies may lead to better outcomes.

Understanding the Medication Adherence Strategies of Older Adults with Hypertension

Many older adults are living with at least one chronic disease and must adhere to prescribed medication to mitigate and control its impact. Hypertension is one chronic disease that affects a significant portion of the world’s population, especially older adults, and is responsible for a high number of annual deaths. It is asymptomatic, meaning that there are no perceptible symptoms and, as such, older adults may struggle with adhering to their prescribed antihypertensive medications. How one internalizes the disease may influence the degree of success in managing the condition. The current study analyzed archival data from a multifaceted prospective memory intervention for older adults with hypertension who were nonadherent to their medication. We coded their responses to self-management interview questions to identify the common themes regarding the knowledge and sense of control the older adults held relevant to managing their illness. Participants’ responses revealed how they internalized hypertension and their medication, as well as the strategies and goals they reportedly used to manage the illness. The association strategy was found to be the most commonly used within participants’ routines. In addition, many participants expressed a general lack of knowledge about the disease or their medication, and their goals regarding hypertension management were general and inexplicit (e.g., “to reduce their blood pressure). This information informs the design of more effective and longer-lasting interventions geared toward significantly improving the medication adherence of older adults diagnosed with hypertension.