This study is implementing and evaluating the use of a mobile health tool for collecting patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in community pharmacies to address medication non-adherence.
What is the research about?
Dispensed prescription histories and claims data typically are used to identify medication non- adherence in ambulatory care settings. However, collecting PROs via mobile health applications offers new opportunities for understanding and addressing medication issues and non-adherence.
This study adapted and is testing PatientToc™, a previously developed mobile health software for collecting PROs in primary care, for use in community pharmacies to address medication non- adherence. First, the study team partnered with pharmacies in Indiana, Minnesota, and Wisconsin to conduct a pre-implementation developmental formative evaluation to understand existing workflows and practices for identifying medication non-adherence in community pharmacies, and to identify potential barriers and facilitators to implementing PatientToc™. Based on the information collected, the team created an implementation toolkit. Next, the study team worked with one pharmacy in each state to implement PatientToc™ and conduct a plan-do-study-act cycle to refine the toolkit and implementation facilitation plans. The team then spread implementation of PatientToc™, using the updated toolkit, to 3-5 locations per state. Finally, the team will conduct a rigorous evaluation using interviews, observational data, and administrative data to understand the impact of implementing PatientToc™ in community pharmacies on the quality of care and patient health outcomes.
Results from this study are forthcoming. Current and future publications from this grant will be posted here.
Primary Care Relevance
Community pharmacies may be in a better position than primary care clinicians for resolving medication issues and non-adherence, allowing patients to benefit from prescribed medications as intended by their primary care providers.
AHRQ Primary Care Priority Area Harnessing data and technology to conduct research on characteristics of primary care that may influence patient outcomes, such as whole person care, care coordination, continuity of care, and comprehensiveness of care.
