Medication Adherence
Medication adherence is an essential health behavior. It taps into patients' most closely held values and beliefs about their health and wellbeing. Pharmacists' knowledge and accessibility position them well for working with patients through such complex issues.
Further hone your patient engagement skills, access targeted patient education resources and more in this section.
Don't have time to read the monthly journals filling your inbox and mailbox? We curate a selection of material to keep you up to date on the latest medication use quality information from the academic literature. To be fair, we are just getting started... mind the dust while we get our collection up to speed!
1. The Pennsylvania Project: A screening & brief intervention model, powered by continuous performance assessment (Health Affairs).
2. Impact of Appointment-Based Medication Synchronization on Existing Users of Chronic Medications. Assessment of the Appointment-Based model and its impact on medication adherence and persistence (JMCP).
3. The First Fill Factor. Many medications do not work as prescribed - because the patient never picks up the first fill. (Health Affairs).
4. Prevalence, Effectiveness, and Characteristics of Pharmacy-Based Medication Synchronization Programs . This study evaluates the prevalence, structure, and key features of pharmacy-based programs to synchronize prescription fill dates. (AJMC).
5. Defining and Measuring Primary Medication Nonadherence: Development of a Quality Measure . Primary Medication Nonadherence (PMN) occurs when a new medication is prescribed for a patient, but not ultimately obtained. This article reviews the development and endorsement of this measure by the PQA. (JMCP).
Appropriate use of medication is the most effective intervention for patients. So, why do patients struggle to use their medications correctly? And what items do pharmacy staff need to understand when addressing patient concerns about adhering to their medications? This segment will regularly update your team on the latest trends and information.
Medication synchronization has been around in practice for a long time, although it has been receiving significant attention lately for its ability to positively impact medication adherence (in addition to other patient care and business operations benefits). Interested in trying it out? We suggest catching up on the history and implementation of "med sync" before trying it in your pharmacy.
1. NCPA MEMBERS ONLY Simplify My Meds helps pharmacists boost adherence and improve pharmacy operations. NCPA Video Series on Med Sync
2. NASPA hosts a suite of materials related to the execution of the Appointment Based Model (ABM) program.
3. APhA Foundation white paper on the process and value that comes with implementation of the Appointment Based Model (ABM)