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Moreira PM, Aguiar EC, Castro PR, Almeida KC, Dourado JA, Paula SM, Melo MF, Santos PM, Oliveira MG. Optimizing Hypertension Treatment in Older Patients Through Home Blood Pressure Monitoring by Pharmacists in Primary Care: The MINOR Clinical Trial. Clin Ther 2023; 45:941-946. [PMID: 37365046 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2023.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Incorporating technology such as home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) into the clinical routine generates opportunities to improve BP monitoring and control in primary health care. It is also important to prevent overtreatment. However, the combination of HBPM with collaborative drug therapy management (CDTM) has not yet been studied. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of combining HBPM with CDTM to optimize hypertension treatment for older patients. METHODS This open-label, parallel-group, randomized clinical trial was conducted between June 2021 and August 2022 in a Brazilian community pharmacy and included older patients (aged ≥60 years) with hypertension. Those who were classified as poorly adherent or nonadherent to the prescribed drug treatment or who were unable to perform HBPM were excluded. In the control group, participants received a BP monitor and instructions on how to perform HBPM. A general practitioner, who was provided a report with the obtained BP values, determined any changes to the treatment protocol. In the intervention group, a pharmacist enrolled participants in a drug therapy management protocol and provided the general practitioner with suggestions to optimize the antihypertensive drug therapy, in addition to the report with the BP values. The following outcomes were considered: the proportion of participants receiving deprescriptions of antihypertensive drugs, other treatment adjustments, and the difference in mean BP between the groups 45 days after performing HBPM. The study used a t test combined with Levene's test to calculate mean intergroup differences in BP, the paired t test to calculate mean intragroup differences in BP, and Pearson's χ2 test to determine intergroup differences in changes in drug therapy. FINDINGS In each group, 161 participants completed the trial. Antihypertensive agents were deprescribed for 31 (19.3%) participants in the intervention group versus 11 (6.8%) in the control group (P = 0.01). In addition, 14 (8.7%) participants were prescribed antihypertensive drugs in the intervention group versus 11 (6.8%) in the control group (P = 0.52). The mean office systolic BP and HBPM values were lower in the intervention group (P = 0.22 and P = 0.29, respectively). IMPLICATIONS Combining HBPM with a CDTM protocol effectively optimized antihypertensive treatment for older patients in a primary health care setting. CLINICALTRIALS gov identifier: NCT04861727.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Maciel Moreira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva, Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Candeias, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
| | - Erlan Canguçu Aguiar
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Candeias, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Assistência Farmacêutica em Rede e Associação de Instituições de Ensino Superior, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Priscila Ribeiro Castro
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Candeias, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
| | - Kleiton Coelho Almeida
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Assistência Farmacêutica em Rede e Associação de Instituições de Ensino Superior, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - July Anne Dourado
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Candeias, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
| | - Sabrina Miranda Paula
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Candeias, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
| | - Milena Flores Melo
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Candeias, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
| | - Pablo Moura Santos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Assistência Farmacêutica em Rede e Associação de Instituições de Ensino Superior, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Marcio Galvão Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva, Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Candeias, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Assistência Farmacêutica em Rede e Associação de Instituições de Ensino Superior, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil.
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Cigolle C, Phillips K. Telepharmacy Model of Care. Clin Ther 2023; 45:935-940. [PMID: 37775470 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2023.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study assessed the feasibility of the Telepharmacy Model of Care, a medication review and deprescribing model for use in older adults, with innovations in cognitive and functional evaluation, in telemedicine delivery, and in the use of a pharmacy technician. METHODS This retrospective medical record review/abstraction analyzed (from March 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022) data from US veteran participants in a pilot implementation (April 13, 2021, to May 20, 2022) of the Telepharmacy Model of Care at the Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System (Ann Arbor, Michigan). The project team assessed and made recommendations about multiple factors in medication management: medication list accuracy; safety of medications and their combinations; older adults' cognition, health literacy, and physical abilities and impairments in self-managing medications; and caregivers' ability to compensate for those impairments. FINDINGS The pilot included 60 US veterans (mean age, 75 years [range, 59-93 years]; 97% were men). Overall, participants were successful in using telemedicine (98%). Encounters required 30 to 45 minutes for the visit and 20 minutes for follow-up and documentation (P = 0.14 pharmacist vs pharmacy technician). The median number of medications per patient was 18. A total of 57% of patients had four or more medication-related discrepancies; fewer patients experienced medication-adherence problems, drug-drug interactions, problematic medication combinations, and untreated/undertreated conditions. Using the Safe Medication Algorithm for Older Adults tool, 35% were identified as taking a Red Flag medication (contraindicated in older adults), and 74%, a High Risk medication (eg, an anticoagulant). A total of 37% had cognitive and health literacy impairments, and 45%, physical impairments, interfering with the ability to self-manage medications. Recommendations on deprescribing were made in 98% of patients. IMPLICATION The telemedicine-based and pharmacist/pharmacy technician-delivered model was a feasible method for addressing comprehensive medication review and deprescribing in these cognitively and functionally impaired US veterans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Cigolle
- Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Ann Arbor, Michigan; Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine.
| | - Kristin Phillips
- Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Radcliffe E, Servin R, Cox N, Lim S, Tan QY, Howard C, Sheikh C, Rutter P, Latter S, Lown M, Brad L, Fraser SDS, Bradbury K, Roberts HC, Saucedo AR, Ibrahim K. What makes a multidisciplinary medication review and deprescribing intervention for older people work well in primary care? A realist review and synthesis. BMC Geriatr 2023; 23:591. [PMID: 37743469 PMCID: PMC10519081 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-023-04256-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A third of older people take five or more regular medications (polypharmacy). Conducting medication reviews in primary care is key to identify and reduce/ stop inappropriate medications (deprescribing). Recent recommendations for effective deprescribing include shared-decision making and a multidisciplinary approach. Our aim was to understand when, why, and how interventions for medication review and deprescribing in primary care involving multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) work (or do not work) for older people. METHODS A realist synthesis following the Realist And Meta-narrative Evidence Syntheses: Evolving Standards guidelines was completed. A scoping literature review informed the generation of an initial programme theory. Systematic searches of different databases were conducted, and documents screened for eligibility, with data extracted based on a Context, Mechanisms, Outcome (CMO) configuration to develop further our programme theory. Documents were appraised based on assessments of relevance and rigour. A Stakeholder consultation with 26 primary care health care professionals (HCPs), 10 patients and three informal carers was conducted to test and refine the programme theory. Data synthesis was underpinned by Normalisation Process Theory to identify key mechanisms to enhance the implementation of MDT medication review and deprescribing in primary care. FINDINGS A total of 2821 abstracts and 175 full-text documents were assessed for eligibility, with 28 included. Analysis of documents alongside stakeholder consultation outlined 33 CMO configurations categorised under four themes: 1) HCPs roles, responsibilities and relationships; 2) HCPs training and education; 3) the format and process of the medication review 4) involvement and education of patients and informal carers. A number of key mechanisms were identified including clearly defined roles and good communication between MDT members, integration of pharmacists in the team, simulation-based training or team building training, targeting high-risk patients, using deprescribing tools and drawing on expertise of other HCPs (e.g., nurses and frailty practitioners), involving patents and carers in the process, starting with 'quick wins', offering deprescribing as 'drug holidays', and ensuring appropriate and tailored follow-up plans that allow continuity of care and management. CONCLUSION We identified key mechanisms that could inform the design of future interventions and services that successfully embed deprescribing in primary care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloise Radcliffe
- School of Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Aldermoor Health Centre, Aldermoor Close, Southampton, SO16 5ST, UK.
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration ARC Wessex, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
| | - Renée Servin
- Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, UK
| | - Natalie Cox
- Academic Geriatric Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Stephen Lim
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration ARC Wessex, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Academic Geriatric Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Qian Yue Tan
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration ARC Wessex, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Academic Geriatric Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Clare Howard
- Wessex Academic Health Science Network, Science Park, Chilworth, Southampton, UK
| | - Claire Sheikh
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board, Southampton, UK
| | - Paul Rutter
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Portsmouth University, Portsmouth, UK
| | - Sue Latter
- School of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Mark Lown
- School of Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Aldermoor Health Centre, Aldermoor Close, Southampton, SO16 5ST, UK
| | - Lawrence Brad
- Westbourne Medical Centre, Westbourne, Bournemouth, UK
| | - Simon D S Fraser
- School of Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Aldermoor Health Centre, Aldermoor Close, Southampton, SO16 5ST, UK
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Katherine Bradbury
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration ARC Wessex, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Helen C Roberts
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration ARC Wessex, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Academic Geriatric Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Alejandra Recio Saucedo
- School of Healthcare Enterprise and Innovation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre, National Institute of Health Research Evaluation, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Kinda Ibrahim
- School of Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Aldermoor Health Centre, Aldermoor Close, Southampton, SO16 5ST, UK
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration ARC Wessex, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Academic Geriatric Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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Campbell NL. Building Demand for Deprescribing Expertise: Pharmacists as Deprescribing Care Coordinators. Sr Care Pharm 2023; 38:3-4. [PMID: 36751920 DOI: 10.4140/tcp.n.2023.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
A number of barriers to deprescribing exist, with knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy often highlighted by prescribers within an interrupted, siloed nature of the existing health care system. Thus, deprescribing is not likely to occur without a change in the system. Pharmacists are extremely well positioned to positively impact the deprescribing process, and particularly senior care pharmacists given familiarity with population-specific pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic characteristics of medications. Similarly, our health care partners have endorsed pharmacists to not only collaborate but to drive the deprescribing trials. Therefore, no other profession is better positioned to advocate for the value of deprescribing as a core component of the pharmaceutical care process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noll L Campbell
- Department of Pharmacy Practice Purdue University College of Pharmacy West Lafayette, Indiana Indiana University Center for Aging Research Regenstrief Institute Indiana University Center for Healthcare Innovation and Implementation Science Indianapolis, Indiana
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A Need for Benzodiazepine Deprescribing in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cohort Study. PHARMACY 2022; 10:pharmacy10050120. [PMID: 36287441 PMCID: PMC9611451 DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy10050120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on patients’ mental health. The aim of this study was to explore whether the pandemic influenced the use and prescription of benzodiazepines and increased the need for community pharmacist involvement in counselling on deprescribing. Electronic prescription-related data from one pharmacy in Croatia were retrospectively collected for the COVID-19 period (April 2020 to March 2021) and compared with pre-COVID-19 (April 2019 to March 2020) data. Data were collected for patients diagnosed with anxiety disorders who filled out more than one prescription for benzodiazepines, and included age, sex, number of medicines, benzodiazepines, and comorbidities. A total of 1290 benzodiazepine users were identified; of these, 32.87% started using benzodiazepines during the COVID-19 period, while 35.2% continued with benzodiazepine use. More than half of all benzodiazepine users were identified as potential deprescribing candidates (dispensed more than three prescriptions). Women, older patients, multimorbid individuals, and patients with polypharmacy were more likely to use benzodiazepines for a prolonged period. The results show a negative trend of benzodiazepine usage among community-dwelling patients during the pandemic. Community pharmacists can identify potential candidates for deprescribing and initiate a process that ensures more rational use of benzodiazepines and increases the safety of treatment.
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