Korean J Clin Pharm.  2016 Sep;26(3):245-253. 10.0000/kjcp.2016.26.3.245.

Participants' Evaluation on the Payer-driven Medication Counseling Intervention for Individuals with Chronic Disease

• Sohn HS
• Jang S
• Lee JY
• Han E

• KMID: 2358241
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.0000/kjcp.2016.26.3.245

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to evaluate payer-driven medication adherence intervention program from the patient's and counselor's perspectives.
METHODS
Target patients for intervention were selected by retrospective adherence measures based on national health insurance claims data for hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia. As a serial intervention for higher risk groups of medication non-adherence, initial direct mailing, the first direct telephone call and the second direct call or a home visit were followed. Interview approach to qualitative inquiry was used to evaluate intervention results.
RESULTS
Participants including 4 patients received telephone calls, and 4 National Health Insurance Service staff and 4 pharmacists participated as counselors were interviewed regarding their impression of the intervention program. Three major themes arose: overall perception; necessities; and suggestions for success, of the intervention. Despite short period of intervention, educational intervention by telephone counseling involving pharmacists shows potential to improve self-management of chronic disease, and pharmacist-involvement. But more sophisticated selection of target patients requiring the intervention and complementation of electronic database system would be necessary. In addition, personal disposition of counselor was revealed to be an important factor for achieving successful outcome of intervention.
CONCLUSION
The findings suggest that the individualized counseling intervention would be an efficient option for improved medication adherence. Further researches should include longer periods of interventions, a quantitative analysis using adherence measures based on claims data and consideration of clinical benefits associated with the intervention.

Keyword

Medication adherence; counseling intervention; hypertension; diabetes; hyperlipidemia

MeSH Terms

Chronic Disease*
Complement System Proteins
Counseling*
House Calls
Humans
Hyperlipidemias
Hypertension
Medication Adherence
National Health Programs
Pharmacists
Postal Service
Retrospective Studies
Self Care
Telephone
Complement System Proteins