Sara S McMillan1, Fiona Kelly2, H Laetitia Hattingh3, Jane L Fowler1, Gabor Mihala4, Amanda J Wheeler1,5. 1. a Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University , Brisbane , Australia. 2. b Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University , Gold Coast , Australia. 3. c Faculty of Health Sciences , Curtin University , Perth , Australia. 4. d Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Centre for Applied Health Economics, Griffith University , Brisbane , Australia , and. 5. e Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences , University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Mental illness is a worldwide health priority. As medication is commonly used to treat mental illness, community pharmacy staff is well placed to assist consumers. AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of a multifaceted, community pharmacy medication support service for mental health consumers. METHOD: Pharmacists and pharmacy support staff in three Australian states were trained to deliver a flexible, goal-oriented medication support service for adults with mental illness over 3-6 months. Consumer-related outcome measures included perceptions of illness and health-related quality of life, medication beliefs, treatment satisfaction and medication adherence. RESULTS: Fifty-five of 100 trained pharmacies completed the intervention with 295 of the 418 recruited consumers (70.6% completion rate); 51.2% of consumers received two or more follow-ups. Significant improvements were reported by consumers for overall perceptions of illness (p < 0.001), the mental health domain of quality of life (p < 0.001), concerns about medication (p = 0.001) and global satisfaction with medication (p < 0.001). Consumers also reported an increase in medication adherence (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: A community pharmacy mental health medication support service that is goal-oriented, flexible and individualised, improved consumer outcomes across various measures. While further research into the cost-effectiveness and sustainability of such a service is warranted, this intervention could easily be adapted to other contexts.
BACKGROUND:Mental illness is a worldwide health priority. As medication is commonly used to treat mental illness, community pharmacy staff is well placed to assist consumers. AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of a multifaceted, community pharmacy medication support service for mental health consumers. METHOD: Pharmacists and pharmacy support staff in three Australian states were trained to deliver a flexible, goal-oriented medication support service for adults with mental illness over 3-6 months. Consumer-related outcome measures included perceptions of illness and health-related quality of life, medication beliefs, treatment satisfaction and medication adherence. RESULTS: Fifty-five of 100 trained pharmacies completed the intervention with 295 of the 418 recruited consumers (70.6% completion rate); 51.2% of consumers received two or more follow-ups. Significant improvements were reported by consumers for overall perceptions of illness (p < 0.001), the mental health domain of quality of life (p < 0.001), concerns about medication (p = 0.001) and global satisfaction with medication (p < 0.001). Consumers also reported an increase in medication adherence (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: A community pharmacy mental health medication support service that is goal-oriented, flexible and individualised, improved consumer outcomes across various measures. While further research into the cost-effectiveness and sustainability of such a service is warranted, this intervention could easily be adapted to other contexts.
Entities:
Keywords:
Australia; adherence; community pharmacy; intervention; mental health; patient-centred care
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