Adherence enhancement for patients with asthma in community pharmacy practice: tools development and pharmacists' feedback. Issue 3 (3rd July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Makhinova, Tatiana; Barner, Jamie C; Brown, Carolyn M; Richards, Kristin M; Rascati, Karen L; Barnes, J Nile; Nag, Arpita
• Is Part Of: Journal of pharmaceutical health services research. Volume 9:Issue 3(2018:Sep.)
• Page Start: 215
• Page End: 226
• Publication Date: 2018-07-03
• Subjects: asthma -- community pharmacist -- counselling tools -- medication adherence; Pharmacy -- Research -- Periodicals; Drugs -- Research -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Research -- Periodicals; Public health -- Research -- Periodicals; Pharmaceutical industry -- Periodicals; Health Services Research -- Periodicals; Economics, Pharmaceutical -- Periodicals; 615.1072
• DOI: 10.1111/jphs.12247
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1759-8885

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: To develop tools for identifying and addressing medication adherence barriers so that they are asthma-specific, to assess pharmacists' perspectives on the use of the tools and their implementation in the community pharmacy practice. Methods: Development of asthma adherence tools involved analysis of available tools that focused on identifying and resolving asthma-specific barriers to adherence, followed by selection and modification of tools. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with practicing community pharmacists on pharmacists' experiences in addressing adherence for patients with asthma, barriers, special concerns and perceptions regarding the proposed tools and their implementation in practice. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed. Thematic analysis was conducted to describe pharmacists' feedback. Key findings: Three asthma-specific tools, which were adapted from the Adherence Starts with Knowledge-12 adherence tool and the Drug Adherence Work-up tool, were utilized in this study, including: (1) a patient questionnaire to identify asthma medication adherence barriers, (2) a pharmacist 'Conversation Starter' document to efficiently facilitate identification and resolution of barrier(s), and (3) a patient pamphlet entitled 'Breathe Easier' to address and educate patients regarding identified barrier(s). Pharmacists' ( N = 5) overall perspectives on the approach and proposed tools were positive. All pharmacists acknowledged high patient need for asthma education and adherence support. Most of the interviewees agreed that common adherence barriers were addressed in the tools and that the main barrier regarding program implementation was time. Providing focused counselling by utilizing tools that identify specific patient issues and offer possible solutions may help overcome the time barrier. Conclusions: The proposed tools can enhance patient–pharmacist communication and have the potential to improve adherence and overall asthma management, which can lead to a decreased asthma burden.