The (cost-)effectiveness of a patient-tailored intervention programme to enhance adherence to antihypertensive medication in community pharmacies: study protocol of a randomised controlled trial

Danielle M van der Laan, Petra J M Elders, Christel C L M Boons, Judith E Bosmans, Giel Nijpels, Jacqueline G Hugtenburg

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Medication non-adherence is a complex health care problem. Due to non-adherence, substantial numbers of cardiovascular patients benefit from their medication to only a limited extent. In order to improve adherence, a variety of pharmacist-led interventions have been developed. However, even the most effective interventions achieved only a modest positive effect. To be effective, interventions should be targeted at underlying barriers to adherence, developed in a systematic manner and tailored to specific features of a target group and setting. The current paper describes the design of the Cardiovascular medication non-Adherence Tailored Intervention (CATI) study aimed to evaluate the (cost-)effectiveness of a patient-tailored intervention programme in patients using antihypertensive medication.

METHODS: The CATI study is a randomised controlled trial that will be performed in 13 community pharmacies. Patients aged 45-75 years using antihypertensive medication and considered non-adherent according to pharmacy dispensing data, as well according to a self-report questionnaire, are eligible to participate. Patients in the intervention condition will receive a patient-tailored, pharmacist-led intervention programme. This programme consists of a structured interview at the pharmacy to identify patients' barriers to adherence and to counsel patients in order to overcome these barriers. The primary outcome is self-reported medication adherence measured with the MARS-5 questionnaire. Secondary outcome measures are blood pressure, illness perceptions, quality of life and societal costs. A cost-effectiveness analysis and process evaluation will also be performed.

DISCUSSION: This study will provide insight into the (cost-)effectiveness of a patient-tailored, pharmacist-led intervention programme in non-adherent patients using antihypertensive medication. This intervention programme allows community pharmacists to support their patients in overcoming barriers to adherence and improving medication adherence in a structured and patient-tailored manner. An effective intervention will not only enhance medication adherence, but may also improve health outcomes and decrease health care utilisation and costs.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: Netherlands Trial Register (identifier: NTR5017), registered on 2 February 2015.

Original languageEnglish
Article number29
Pages (from-to)29
JournalTrials
Volume18
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 19 Jan 2017

Funding

The authors thank the Royal Dutch Pharmacists Association for funding this research. The authors thank Jos Twisk (Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands) for his collaboration in calculating the sample size.

FundersFunder number
Royal Dutch Pharmacists Association

    Keywords

    • Journal Article

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