scholarly journals Characteristics of Patients Accepting and Declining Participation in a Transition of Care Service Provided by a Community Pharmacy

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julianne M Kowalski ◽  
Amanda R Margolis ◽  
Nicole Schreiner ◽  
Jeff Kirchner

Objectives: To identify characteristics of patients who accepted or declined an appointment for a transition of care service provided by an independent community pharmacist and identify the most common reasons patients declined the service. Methods: A transition of care service was offered by a community pharmacy to patients discharged to home from the cardiac unit of a local hospital. The community pharmacist approached patients prior to discharge for recruitment into the service. Outcomes included service acceptance rate, LACE score at discharge, readmission risk category, age, gender, geographic home location, and reason for refusing the service. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to compare characteristics between those who accepted or declined the service. Reasons for decline were assessed using content analysis. Results: Of the 87 patients that were included in the analysis, 21 patients received the transitions of care service (24.1%). None of the characteristics were found to be statistically significant between patients who received or declined the service. Patients at a moderate risk for readmission seemed more likely to accept the pharmacist-run appointment than those at high risk (27.9% vs 15.3%; P = 0.29). Of the 66 patients who declined, 51 gave a reason (77.3%). Thirty-nine patients saw no benefit (76.5%), five patients had perceived barriers (10%), and seven patients gave reasons that fell into both categories (13.5%). Conclusions: This evaluation did not find a statistically significant difference in characteristics between those patients who accepted or declined participation in a pharmacist-run transition of care service. Patients may be less likely to accept pharmacist-run transition of care appointments primarily due to no perceived benefits. To increase participation, we need to understand the patient’s health beliefs, educate patients on pharmacy services, and implement changes to recruit potential patients. Conflict of Interest Disclosures: The authors have no actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to this evaluation. This evaluation was presented as a poster presentation at American Pharmacists Association Annual Meeting and Exposition, March 4-7, 2016 and at the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin Education Conference, April 5-6, 2016. This evaluation was presented as a podium presentation at Great Lakes Residency Conference, April 27-29, 2016.   Type: Original Research

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Kelling ◽  
David R. Bright ◽  
Timothy R. Ulbrich ◽  
Donald L. Sullivan ◽  
James Gartner ◽  
...  

Objective: To describe successes and barriers with the development and implementation of a community pharmacy medication therapy management-based transition of care program in the managed Medicaid population. Setting: A single supermarket chain pharmacy Practice description: Community pharmacists provide dispensing and non-dispensing pharmacy services including medication therapy management, biometric wellness screenings, and immunizations. Practice innovation: Developed and implemented a community pharmacy medication therapy management-based transition of care program for patients with managed Medicaid Main outcome measures: Feasibility of developing and implementing a transition of care service in a community pharmacy Results: During the first six months, a total of 17 patients were seen as part of the program. Study pharmacists identified successes and potential strategies for overcoming barriers. Conclusion: Developing and implementing a community pharmacy transition of care program for patients with managed Medicaid was logistically feasible.   Type: Original Research


2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yardlee Kauffman ◽  
Elana Barkowitz ◽  
Nicole Cerussi ◽  
Jan Pringle ◽  
Melissa McGivney

Background: Patients living with HIV/AIDS have complex medication regimens. Pharmacists within community pharmacy settings can have a role managing patients living with HIV/AIDS. Patients' perspectives surrounding implementation about community pharmacist-based services is needed as limited information is available. Objective: To identify medication-related needs of HIV-infected patients who receive prescriptions from a community pharmacy. To determine patient perspectives and knowledge of community pharmacist-based services. Methods: A qualitative research study involving in-depth, semi-structured interviews with patients was conducted. Inclusion criteria included: HIV positive men and women at least 18 years of age who receive care at a HIV clinic, currently take medication(s) and use a community pharmacy for all prescription fills. Patients were recruited from one urban and one rural health center. Patients answered questions about their perceptions and knowledge about the role and value of pharmacy services and completed a demographic survey. The recordings of the interviews were transcribed verbatim and were analyzed using principles of Grounded Theory. Results: Twenty-nine interviews were conducted: 15 participants from the urban site and 14 from the rural site. Five main themes emerged including: patients experience ongoing and varying medication-related needs; patients desire a pharmacist who is caring, knowledgeable and integrated with health care providers; patients expect ready access to drug therapy; patients value an individualized patient encounter, and patients need to be informed that a pharmacist-service exists. Conclusion: Patients with HIV value individualized and personal encounters with pharmacists at time intervals that are convenient for the patient. Patients felt that a one-on-one encounter with a pharmacist would be most valuable when initiating or modifying medication therapy. These patient perspectives can be useful for pharmacists and pharmacies interested in providing advanced care to patients with HIV.   Type: Original Research


2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 524-528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mackenzie A. Dolan ◽  
Chelsea P. Renfro ◽  
Stefanie P. Ferreri ◽  
Betsy B. Shilliday ◽  
Timothy J. Ives ◽  
...  

Objective: To determine community pharmacist preferences in transition of care (TOC) communications. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data were gathered via electronic survey of community pharmacists regarding their preferences for TOC communications. The survey was distributed via email by the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Survey responses were received from 343 community pharmacists (response rate = 6.1%). Responders most commonly worked in an independent, single store (29.2%, n = 100) or national chain (29.2%, n = 100) pharmacy setting. Preferred method for a TOC communication was via electronic health record (63.0%, n = 184). Preferred TOC communication content are mentioned as follows: active (93.2%, n = 274) and discontinued (86.4%, n = 254) medications and reason for hospitalization (85.0%, n = 250). The top 3 self-identified barriers to utilizing a TOC communication: lack of care coordination with community pharmacy (35.0%, n = 14), lack of support from other health-care providers (22.5%, n = 9), and absence of compensation for providing the service (17.5%, n = 7). When asked if TOC communications were available, 97.5% (n = 278) indicated it would be useful. Conclusion: Community pharmacists acknowledged a need for TOC communications and shared their preferences in the content and method of communication. Future research is warranted to implement TOC communications between a health system and community pharmacy.


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julianne Kowalski ◽  
Amanda Margolis ◽  
Nichole Schreiner ◽  
Jeff Kirchner

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunil Shrestha ◽  
Deepa Shakya ◽  
Resha Dangol ◽  
Krisha Danekhu ◽  
Shailesh Sharma ◽  
...  

Introduction: Community pharmacy services are an integral part of the healthcare system directly involved in providing safe and effective patient care services. Despite the beneficial role of the community pharmacist, limited research focusing on their roles and responsibilities have been conducted. Thus, a bibliometric study was carried out to give a bibliometric overview of publications on community pharmacy in Nepal. Method: This is a bibliometric review of published literature of articles on community pharmacy in Nepal. The extensive literature search was carried out using PubMed, Google Scholar, NepJol as the sources of data. The community-based articles published from January 1, 1992, up to December 31, 2018, were retrieved. The keywords or medical subject headings (MeSH) terms, such as “Community Pharmacy”, “Community Pharmacist”, “Community Pharmacies”, “Community Pharmaceutical Services”, “Community Pharmaceutical Service”, "Private Pharmacy" and "Retail Pharmacy" were used.  Nepal was entered as a country affiliation. Result: A total of forty-seven articles were retrieved, of which 87.5% (N=47) were based on original research papers. The maximum number of an article published in a single year was 17.02% (The majority [8 (17.02%]) of articles were published in 2016. The average number of authors per article was 4.65 with a standard deviation of 2.33. These articles were published in 38 journals, of which 10 articles were published in the journal without the impact factor or Scimago Journal and Country Rank. Conclusion: Scientific publications from community pharmacy settings are scant in Nepal. Hence, more analytical research work should be carried out to enhance the community pharmacy services and to promote the quality use of medicines in Nepalese society.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott J Alexander ◽  
Natalie A DiPietro Mager

Background: Community-clinical linkages have been promoted as a means to improve population health.  The community pharmacy is an ideal location for these partnerships to occur due to the expertise of the community pharmacist. While the need for these partnerships exists, there are limited data regarding community pharmacists’ current participation in such programs. Objective: The purpose of this analysis was to assess Ohio community pharmacists’ involvement and interest in community-clinical linkages.  Methods: An electronic survey tool containing 26 questions was developed to assess Ohio community pharmacists’ participation in community-clinical linkages and interest to develop such partnerships. The tool was sent via email to a random sample of 500 pharmacists registered in Ohio and practicing in a community setting.  Chi-square or Fisher exact nonparametric statistical tests were used as appropriate to identify whether there were any significant differences in current partnership or interest to partner with a prescriber who refers patients to their community pharmacy based on education (Bachelor of Science or Doctor of Pharmacy degree) or pharmacy location (urban, suburban, or rural).  Results: Nine emails were undeliverable, leaving a sample of 491 pharmacists.  Ninety-three (19%) responded to the survey.  Sixteen respondents (17%) indicated that they currently partner with a prescriber who refers patients to their pharmacy for assistance with medications or chronic disease state management; this practice was more often reported in urban settings (p=0.022).  Of those not currently participating in such a partnership, 53 (57%) were interested in developing one.  Thirty-two respondents (34%) reported providing referrals for at least 1 type of screening or counseling service.  For some types of services, pharmacists reported that they provide the service in the pharmacy and/or were interested to develop the service in the pharmacy rather than provide a referral.  However, for any given service there were a number of pharmacists who expressed interest in providing referrals although they were not currently doing so. Conclusion: This sample of Ohio community pharmacists reported limited participation in community-clinical linkages but interest to develop them.  Further studies should explore the pharmacists’ role and impact in such programs.   Article Type: Original Research


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 16
Author(s):  
Melissa Jimenez ◽  
Goar Alvarez ◽  
Albert Wertheimer ◽  
Leanne Lai ◽  
Leroy Koh ◽  
...  

Background: Prescription medication copayments can be a financial burden to many patients. When patients cannot afford their medications, they may become nonadherent, and as a result, this can lead to an increase in chronic disease complications and healthcare costs. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine if zero copayments have an effect on medication adherence in a community pharmacy. Methods: This retrospective cohort study examined the prescription refill records of patients who filled specific generic medications for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in 2016 at the NSU Clinic Pharmacy. The adherence rates of patients with zero copayments were compared to the adherence rates of patients with copayments greater than $0. Adherence was determined by calculating the proportion of days covered (PDC). Patients were considered adherent if their PDC was greater than or equal to 80%. Results: GERD patients with no copayments had average PDC ratios of 87.4% and were statistically significantly more adherent than GERD patients with copayments, who had average PDC ratios of 76.7% (P = 0.042). Hyperlipidemia and hypertension patients with no copayments had average PDC ratios of 89.3% and 90.3%, respectively, and those with copayments had PDC ratios of 85.3% (P = 0.314) and 87.9% (P = 0.534). Conclusion: Overall, patients with $0 copayments had higher adherence rates than patients with copayments greater than $0. GERD patients with no copayments were significantly more adherent than GERD patients with copayments. However, no statistically significant difference was found between patients with or without copayments in the hyperlipidemia and hypertension cohorts. Further studies are recommended to analyze additional factors that may influence medication adherence.   Article Type: Original Research


2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher P. Parker ◽  
Sherry L. Kelchen ◽  
William R. Doucette

Purpose: To evaluate the implementation of an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) – community pharmacist team-based collaborative model for managing hypertension in a rural, Midwestern, community pharmacy and family medicine clinic using the core functions of the patient centered medical home model (PCMH). Methods: Thirteen patients with uncontrolled hypertension, 5 of who were newly diagnosed, were referred to the pharmacist by the ARNP. The pharmacist rechecked the patient’s blood pressure (BP) every 2 weeks after referral and made drug therapy change recommendations to the ARNP if the patient was not below goal. Results: Following the intervention, the average SBP and DBP decreased 24 mmHg and 12mmHg, respectively. The pharmacists made 21 recommendations (dose increase (11), add a medication (6), change a medication (2), and addition of an adherence tool (2)), 100% of which were accepted by the ARNP. Conclusion: A team-based approach to managing hypertension in a rural community pharmacy and family medicine clinic was an effective way to lower blood pressure. In addition, the core functions of the PCMH model can be delivered in a small family medicine practice. Creating specific expectations for each member of the team prior to referring patients improved the efficiency of the intervention.   Type: Original Research


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 205435812199683
Author(s):  
Noor El-Dassouki ◽  
Dorothy Wong ◽  
Deanna M. Toews ◽  
Jagbir Gill ◽  
Beth Edwards ◽  
...  

Background: Kidney transplantation (KT), a treatment option for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), is associated with longer survival and improved quality of life compared with dialysis. Inequities in access to KT, and specifically, living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT), have been documented in Canada along various demographic dimensions. In this article, we review existing evidence about inequitable access and barriers to KT and LDKT for patients from Indigenous communities in Canada. Objective: To characterize the current state of literature on access to KT and LDKT among Indigenous communities in Canada and to answer the research question, “what factors may influence inequitable access to KT among Indigenous communities in Canada.” Eligibility criteria: Databases and gray literature were searched in June and November 2020 for full-text original research articles or gray literature resources addressing KT access or barriers in Indigenous communities in Canada. A total of 26 articles were analyzed thematically. Sources of evidence: Gray literature and CINAHL, OVID Medline, OVID Embase, and Cochrane databases. Charting methods: Literature characteristics were recorded and findings which described rates of and factors that influence access to KT were summarized in a narrative account. Key themes were subsequently identified and synthesized thematically in the review. Results: Indigenous communities in Canada experience various barriers in accessing culturally safe medical information and care, resulting in inequitable access to KT. Barriers include insufficient incorporation of Indigenous ways of knowing and being in information dissemination and care for ESKD and KT, spiritual concerns, health beliefs, logistical hurdles to accessing care, and systemic mistrust resulting from colonialism and systemic racism. Limitations: This review included studies that used various methodologies and did not assess study quality. Data on Indigenous status were not reported or defined in a standardized manner. Indigenous communities are not homogeneous and views on organ donation and KT vary by individual. Conclusions: Our scoping review has identified potential barriers that Indigenous communities may face in accessing KT and LDKT. Further research is urgently needed to better understand barriers and support needs and to develop strategies to improve equitable access to KT and LDKT for Indigenous populations in Canada.


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