OBJECTIVES: To examine willingness to participate in a pill-splitting program and the impact of pill splitting on patients' adherence and lipid control. STUDY DESIGN: Nested randomized trial. METHODS: A total of 200 patients who used statins and were candidates for a pill-splitting regimen were identified from a large university-based health plan. Sixty-three percent of study participants were female, 41% were nonwhite, and 94% had at least some college education. Patients were surveyed regarding their willingness to split pills, and 111 consented to participate in a 6-month trial in which half were randomized to receive a financial incentive to split pills: a 50% reduction in their per-refill copayment. Data on patients' statin refills and lipid control were obtained from billing and medical records. RESULTS: Compared with patients unwilling to participate in the program, those agreeing to split pills were more likely to be female and white. After 6 months, most patients in the trial (89%) were willing to continue pill splitting for a 50% copayment reduction. Patients reported few problems with pill splitting and had no noticeable change in their adherence. The financial-incentive group and the control group did not differ significantly with respect to their low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels after pill splitting: -2.0 mg/dL and -1.2 mg/dL, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients indicated that at least a 50% copayment reduction would be required to enroll in a pill-splitting program after the study ended. However, in this relatively educated population, financial incentives did not influence patients' adherence, satisfaction, or health outcomes.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVES: To examine willingness to participate in a pill-splitting program and the impact of pill splitting on patients' adherence and lipid control. STUDY DESIGN: Nested randomized trial. METHODS: A total of 200 patients who used statins and were candidates for a pill-splitting regimen were identified from a large university-based health plan. Sixty-three percent of study participants were female, 41% were nonwhite, and 94% had at least some college education. Patients were surveyed regarding their willingness to split pills, and 111 consented to participate in a 6-month trial in which half were randomized to receive a financial incentive to split pills: a 50% reduction in their per-refill copayment. Data on patients' statin refills and lipid control were obtained from billing and medical records. RESULTS: Compared with patients unwilling to participate in the program, those agreeing to split pills were more likely to be female and white. After 6 months, most patients in the trial (89%) were willing to continue pill splitting for a 50% copayment reduction. Patients reported few problems with pill splitting and had no noticeable change in their adherence. The financial-incentive group and the control group did not differ significantly with respect to their low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels after pill splitting: -2.0 mg/dL and -1.2 mg/dL, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients indicated that at least a 50% copayment reduction would be required to enroll in a pill-splitting program after the study ended. However, in this relatively educated population, financial incentives did not influence patients' adherence, satisfaction, or health outcomes.
Authors: Jennifer M Polinski; Sebastian Schneeweiss; Malcolm Maclure; Blair Marshall; Samuel Ramsden; Colin Dormuth Journal: Clin Ther Date: 2011-02 Impact factor: 3.393
Authors: Mieke L van Driel; Michael D Morledge; Robin Ulep; Johnathon P Shaffer; Philippa Davies; Richard Deichmann Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2016-12-21
Authors: Laney K Jones; Stephanie Tilberry; Christina Gregor; Lauren H Yaeger; Yirui Hu; Amy C Sturm; Terry L Seaton; Thomas J Waltz; Alanna K Rahm; Anne Goldberg; Ross C Brownson; Samuel S Gidding; Marc S Williams; Michael R Gionfriddo Journal: Implement Sci Date: 2021-04-13 Impact factor: 7.327