Interventions to improve adherence to medication in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: the role of nurses

A Systematic Review of Interventions Addressing Adherence to Anti-Diabetic Medications in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes--Components of Interventions

Background

Poor adherence to anti-diabetic medications contributes to suboptimal glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). A range of interventions have been developed to promote anti-diabetic medication adherence. However, there has been very little focus on the characteristics of these interventions and how effectively they address factors that predict non-adherence. In this systematic review we assessed the characteristics of interventions that aimed to promote adherence to anti-diabetic medications.

Method

Using appropriate search terms in Medline, Embase, CINAHL, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (IPA), PUBmed, and PsychINFO (years 2000–2013), we identified 52 studies which met the inclusion criteria.

Results

Forty-nine studies consisted of patient-level interventions, two provider-level interventions, and one consisted of both. Interventions were classified as educational (n = 7), behavioural (n = 3), affective, economic (n = 3) or multifaceted (a combination of the above; n = 40). One study consisted of two interventions. The review found that multifaceted interventions, addressing several non-adherence factors, were comparatively more effective in improving medication adherence and glycaemic target in patients with T2D than single strategies. However, interventions with similar components and those addressing similar non-adherence factors demonstrated mixed results, making it difficult to conclude on effective intervention strategies to promote adherence. Educational strategies have remained the most popular intervention strategy, followed by behavioural, with affective components becoming more common in recent years. Most of the interventions addressed patient-related (n = 35), condition-related (n = 31), and therapy-related (n = 20) factors as defined by the World Health Organization, while fewer addressed health care system (n = 5) and socio-economic-related factors (n = 13).

Conclusion

There is a noticeable shift in the literature from using single to multifaceted intervention strategies addressing a range of factors impacting adherence to medications. However, research limitations, such as limited use of standardized methods and tools to measure adherence, lack of individually tailored adherence promoting strategies and variability in the interventions developed, reduce the ability to generalize the findings of the studies reviewed. Furthermore, this review highlights the need to develop multifaceted interventions which can be tailored to the individual patient’s needs over the duration of their diabetes management.

A systematic review of interventions addressing adherence to anti-diabetic medications in patients with type 2 diabetes--impact on adherence

Background

The global prevalence of diabetes is increasing. Medications are a recommended strategy to control hyperglycaemia. However, patient adherence can be variable, impacting health outcomes. A range of interventions for patients with type 2 diabetes have focused on improving treatment adherence. This review evaluates the impact of these interventions on adherence to anti-diabetic medications and focuses on the methods and tools used to measure adherence.

Method

Medline, Embase, CINAHL, IPA, PUBmed, and PsychINFO were searched for relevant articles published in 2000–2013, using appropriate search terms.

Results

Fifty two studies addressing adherence to anti-diabetic medications in patients with type 2 diabetes met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Each study was assessed for research design, method(s) used for measuring medication adherence, and impact of intervention on medication adherence and glycaemic control. Fourteen studies were published in 2000–2009 and 38 in 2010–2013. Twenty two interventions led to improvements in adherence to anti-diabetic medications, while only nine improved both medication adherence and glycaemic control. A single strategy could not be identified which would be guaranteed to improve anti-diabetic medication adherence consistently. Nonetheless, most interventions were successful in influencing one or more of the outcomes assessed, indicating the usefulness of these interventions under certain circumstances. Self-report, particularly the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities questionnaire was the most commonly used tool to assess medication adherence, although other self-report tools were used in more recent studies. Overall, there was a slight increase in the number of studies that employed multiple methods to assess medication adherence in studies conducted after 2008.

Conclusion

The diversity of interventions and adherence measurements prevented a meta-analysis of the impact of interventions on adherence to therapy, highlighting the need for more consistency in methods in the area of adherence research. Whilst effective interventions were identified, it is not possible to conclude on an effective intervention that can be generalised to all patients with type 2 diabetes.

Effectiveness of educational interventions to promote oral hypoglycaemic adherence in adults with Type 2 diabetes: a systematic review

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Background As a chronic condition, the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes is increasing worldwide and adherence to oral medications, an essential component of self-management, has been shown to improve glycaemic control. However compliance with oral medication adherence remains poor. Educating people with Type 2 diabetes is an important strategy to enhance self-management ability, including medication-taking behaviour.Objectives The overall objective of the review was to determine the effectiveness of educational interventions to promote oral hypoglycaemic adherence in adults with Type 2 diabetes.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

Types of participants Studies involving adults over 18 years old with Type 2 diabetes, with or without co-morbidities, currently taking oral hypoglycaemic medication without insulin treatment, and with aglycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) > 7.0% prior to the intervention were considered. Aglycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) concentration of less than 7.0%, is important in order to delay or prevent diabetes-related complications. Participants could be from the primary, tertiary or acute care setting.Types of intervention The review focused on various forms of educational interventions delivered by healthcare professionals aimed at improving participants' knowledge.Types of outcomes The review evaluated outcomes measuring oral hypoglycaemic adherence including HbA1c, fasting blood glucose levels and other relevant indicators.Types of studies Studies that were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or case-control studies were considered.Search strategy A three-stage search strategy was employed. Papers in English and between the years 1990-2009 were searched in the following databases: CINAHL, Medline, Mosby's Nursing Consult, PsycINFO, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, TRIP and Web of Science. Full text was retrieved when the titles and abstracts of studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria.Methodological quality Full papers were assessed for methodological quality independently by two reviewers using critical appraisal checklists from the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). A third reviewer was consulted whenever there were disagreements between the two reviewers.Data collection/extraction Details of each study included in the review were extracted using standardized data extraction forms developed by JBI. Extraction was conducted independently by two reviewers.Data synthesis Meta-analysis was not possible due to methodological and statistical heterogeneity of the included studies. Hence study findings are presented in narrative form.Results Seven studies included in the final review consisted of seven RCTs. Five studies concluded that the educational intervention was effective in promoting oral hypoglycaemic adherence compared to usual care. These included pharmacist-led interventions, individual diabetes education provided by nurses and diabetes group education based on a self-management approach. Similarities among these interventions were provision of information on oral hypoglycaemic medication and the need for regular education sessions. However, small samples in some studies limited generalization of results.

CONCLUSIONS

Implications for practice Increased knowledge of oral hypoglycaemic issues and reinforcement of the importance of medication adherence were useful in promoting adherence. Regular education sessions allow individuals to reinforce information and educators to identify barriers to medication adherence. Educational interventions focusing on self-management strategies appear more likely to achieve positive outcomes.Implications for research Further trials involving larger samples and populations with poor glycaemic control are needed. The effects of educational interventions, influence of additional take-home written material, the optimal interval length of follow-up and duration of education sessions, and specific processes of individual or group education which have been identified as effective need further exploration.

The impact of nonphysician clinicians: do they improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of health care services?

Health care is changing rapidly. Unacceptable variations in service access and quality of health care and pressures to contain costs have led to the redefinition of professional roles. The roles of nonphysician clinicians (nurses, physician assistants, and pharmacists) have been extended to the medical domain. It is expected that such revision of roles will improve health care effectiveness and efficiency. The evidence suggests that nonphysician clinicians working as substitutes or supplements for physicians in defined areas of care can maintain and often improve the quality of care and outcomes for patients. The effect on health care costs is mixed, with savings dependent on the context of care and specific nature of role revision. The evidence base underpinning these conclusions is strongest for nurses with a marked paucity of research into pharmacists and physician assistants. More robust evaluative studies into role revision are needed, particularly with regard to economic impacts, before definitive conclusions can be drawn.