285070
Medicare beneficiary feedback on information provided by pharmacists during consultative services
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Sian M. Carr-Lopez, PharmD,
Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Allen Shek, Pharm.D.,
Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Vittoria Ledesma,
Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Tien Tran,
Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Janine Lastimosa,
Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Lauren Epperson,
Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Rajul A. Patel, PharmD, PhD,
Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Suzanne M. Galal, PharmD,
Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Jerline Hsin, Pharm.D.,
Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Background: Optimal medication use is contingent upon comprehensive medication consultation. Purpose: To examine factors that impact information provided during a pharmacist consultation in an ambulatory Medicare population. Methods: Twelve community health fairs targeting Medicare beneficiaries were held in cities across Central/Northern California during the 2013 Medicare open enrollment period. Beneficiaries were asked which critical elements of a consultation were typically discussed by their community pharmacist. Demographic, socioeconomic and health-related data were collected and differences in information reported during a consultation were examined as a function of these variables. Results: Of the 647 beneficiaries who were offered Medication Therapy Management services, 532 completed survey questions regarding pharmacist consultation. Respondents stated a typical consultation included the following: 378 (71%) medicine name and indication; 361 (67.7%) how and when to take the medication and for how long; 307 (58%) side effects; 257 (48%) what to do if a dose is missed; and 245 (46%) if it is safe to take with other medication. Subsidy-recipients and those who spoke a language other than English were less likely to be counseled on drug name and indication (p<0.008) or side effects (p<0.006). Health conditions including benign prostatic hypertrophy (p=0.01), cancer (p=0.03), dementia (p=0.03) and incontinence (p=0.01) were associated with missing elements during the consultation. Conclusions: Critical elements of medication consultation were omitted between 29% and 52% of the time. Socioeconomic and demographic factors impacted whether a comprehensive consultation was provided. Additionally, certain health conditions may be more difficult to discuss in the community pharmacy setting.
Learning Areas:
Other professions or practice related to public health
Learning Objectives:
Describe factors that impact what information is provided during a pharmacist consultation for an ambulatory Medicare population.
Keyword(s): Communication Evaluation, Patient Education
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I earned a Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 1985 and have been a professor at the University of the Pacific for twenty-two years, teaching strategies to improve pharmacotherapy outcomes for chronic conditions. I have collaborated on more than fifty research platform or poster presentations at national professional meetings relating to improving medication therapy outcomes.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
