Peter M Gutierrez1, Hal S Wortzel, Jeri E Forster, Rebecca A Leitner, Trisha A Hostetter, Lisa A Brenner. 1. GUTIERREZ: Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Denver VA Medical Center, Denver, CO, and Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO WORTZEL and BRENNER: Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Denver, CO and Departments of Psychiatry, Neurology, and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO FORSTER: Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Denver, CO; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO; and Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, Denver, CO LEITNER and HOSTETTER: Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Denver, CO.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether blister packing medications would improve prescription medication adherence in psychiatric patients. It was hypothesized that patients in the blister pack (BP) condition would be more adherent to their daily medications than those in the dispense as usual condition. METHODS: This was a randomized trial involving up to 1 year of monthly follow-up assessments. Participants were recruited from an urban Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in the Western United States. Inclusion criteria for participants included being diagnosed with a major affective disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, or a combination of these disorders; being 18 to 89 years of age; receiving prescription medications from the VA pharmacy; and being considered competent to manage their own medications. Of the 303 patients who consented to participate, 277 were randomized to 1 of the 2 study conditions, and 243 were retained in the study. The sample was 87% male, 47% white, with a mean age of 54.4 years. All medications prescribed and dispensed by the VA were either repackaged in monthly BPs or dispensed in standard pill vials. RESULTS: The primary hypothesis was supported. Patients in the BPs condition showed evidence of better adherence at 12-month follow-up, as well as larger increases in adherence from 1 month to 12 months. CONCLUSIONS:Psychiatric patients adhere better to prescription medication regimens when receiving their medications in BP.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether blister packing medications would improve prescription medication adherence in psychiatricpatients. It was hypothesized that patients in the blister pack (BP) condition would be more adherent to their daily medications than those in the dispense as usual condition. METHODS: This was a randomized trial involving up to 1 year of monthly follow-up assessments. Participants were recruited from an urban Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in the Western United States. Inclusion criteria for participants included being diagnosed with a major affective disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, or a combination of these disorders; being 18 to 89 years of age; receiving prescription medications from the VA pharmacy; and being considered competent to manage their own medications. Of the 303 patients who consented to participate, 277 were randomized to 1 of the 2 study conditions, and 243 were retained in the study. The sample was 87% male, 47% white, with a mean age of 54.4 years. All medications prescribed and dispensed by the VA were either repackaged in monthly BPs or dispensed in standard pill vials. RESULTS: The primary hypothesis was supported. Patients in the BPs condition showed evidence of better adherence at 12-month follow-up, as well as larger increases in adherence from 1 month to 12 months. CONCLUSIONS:Psychiatricpatients adhere better to prescription medication regimens when receiving their medications in BP.
Authors: J Corey Fowler; Nathan Cope; Jonathan Knights; Peter Phiri; Andrew Makin; Tim Peters-Strickland; Shanaya Rathod Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2019-06-27 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Charles Muiruri; Shelley A Jazowski; Seleman K Semvua; Francis P Karia; Brandon A Knettel; Leah L Zullig; Habib O Ramadhani; Blandina T Mmbaga; John A Bartlett; Hayden B Bosworth Journal: Patient Prefer Adherence Date: 2020-01-23 Impact factor: 2.711