Initial evaluation of a brief pharmacy-led intervention to modify beliefs about medicines and facilitate adherence among patients hospitalised with acute coronary syndrome

Improving transitional care after acute myocardial infarction: A scoping review

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, posing a significant challenge to healthcare systems worldwide. Transitional care interventions, which ensure coordination and continuity of care as patients move between different levels of healthcare, have been shown to reduce unnecessary healthcare utilization and improve patient outcomes. While much attention has been given to transitional care in heart failure, this review aims to map the interventions implemented for patients following an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). A scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology, with literature searches performed in the Cochrane, CINAHL, MEDLINE, JBI, and SciELO databases, focusing on publications from 2013 onwards in both Portuguese and English. Seventy-five studies were included, with most combining multiple interventions that contributed to improved cardiovascular health outcomes, including increased adherence to healthy lifestyle behaviors, enhanced medication compliance, and better healthcare self-management. These interventions were effective in reducing cardiovascular-related Emergency Department visits, unplanned 30-day readmissions, and mortality following a first-time myocardial infarction. Key strategies identified included discharge planning, digital health solutions, outpatient care, and healthcare coordination. The findings of this review underscore the need for developing methodologies that enhance the transition of care from hospital to primary care following an AMI. There is an urgent need to design and implement new healthcare programs that integrate discharge interventions, digital health, outpatient care, and healthcare coordination to ensure continuity of care and optimize patient outcomes post-discharge.

Structural Equation Modelling to Identify Psychometric Determinants of Medication Adherence in a Survey of Kidney Dialysis Patients

Purpose

Medication non-adherence in dialysis patients is associated with increased mortality and higher healthcare costs. We assessed whether medication adherence is influenced by specific psychometric constructs measuring beliefs about the necessity for medication and concerns about them. We also tested whether medication knowledge, health literacy, and illness perceptions influenced this relationship.

Patients and Methods

This study is based on data from a cross-sectional in-person questionnaire, administered to a random sample of all adult dialysis patients at a teaching hospital. The main outcome was self-assessed medication adherence (8-Item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale). The predictors were: concerns about medications and necessity for medication (Beliefs About Medication Questionnaire); health literacy; medication knowledge (Medication Knowledge Evaluation Tool); cognitive, emotional, and comprehensibility Illness perceptions (Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire). Path analysis was performed using structural equations in both covariance and variance-based models.

Results

Necessity for medication increased (standardized path coefficient [β] 0.30 [95% CI 0.05, 0.54]) and concerns about medication decreased (standardized β -0.33 [-0.57, -0.09]) medication adherence, explaining most of the variance in outcome (r2=0.95). Medication knowledge and cognitive illness perceptions had no effects on medication adherence, either directly or indirectly. Higher health literacy, greater illness comprehension, and a more positive emotional view of their illness had medium-to-large sized effects in increasing medication adherence. These were indirect rather and direct effects mediated by decreases in concerns about medications (standardized β respectively -0.40 [-0.63,-0.16], -0.60 [-0.85, -0.34], -0.33 [-0.52, -0.13]).

Conclusion

Interventions that reduce patients' concerns about their medications are likely to improve adherence, rather than interventions that increase patients' perceived necessity for medication. Improving patients' general health literacy and facilitating a better understanding and more positive perception of the illness can probably achieve this. Our study is potentially limited by a lack of generalizability outside of the population and setting in which it was conducted.

Patients' Beliefs About Their Cardiovascular Medications After Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Prospective Observational Study

Background

Adherence to secondary preventive pharmacotherapy after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is generally poor and is associated with recurrent cardiovascular events. Patients' beliefs about their medications are a strong predictor of intentional nonadherence.

Methods

This prospective, observational study assessed adult patients' beliefs about their post-ACS medications, using the Beliefs About Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ), and adherence, using the Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-5) at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver, Canada during May-December, 2022. The BMQ and MARS-5 were administered in-hospital and at 4 weeks after discharge. Outcomes included difference in BMQ necessity-concerns differential (BMQ-NCD) from hospitalization to 4-week follow-up and factors associated with the BMQ-NCD.

Results

Forty-seven participants completed the 4-week follow-up. The mean age was 64 years, and 83% were male. Most presented with a non-ST-segment-elevation ACS. No difference occurred in BMQ-NCD (7.3 vs 6.6, P = 0.29) or MARS-5 scores from discharge to 4 weeks (22.8 vs 23.7, P = 0.06); however, the BMQ specific-necessity subscale score decreased significantly (20.3 vs 18.8, P = 0.002). South Asian and Middle Eastern ethnic origins, compared to European, were associated with a higher BMQ-NCD. Part-time employment and male sex were associated with a lower BMQ-NCD.

Conclusions

Participants held favourable beliefs about their post-ACS medications, which were largely unchanged from hospitalization to 4 weeks postdischarge, except for beliefs about the necessity of taking their medications. Those of European descent, those with part-time employment, and males had the lowest BMQ-NCD. Self-reported adherence was high. Ongoing reassessment of patients' beliefs about the necessity of taking their post-ACS medications may be warranted to mitigate further decline in BMQ-NCD.

A non-randomised pilot study of the Solutions for Medication Adherence Problems (S-MAP) intervention in community pharmacies to support older adults adhere to multiple medications

BACKGROUND

Older patients prescribed multiple medications commonly experience difficulties with adherence. High-quality evidence on interventions targeting older patients is lacking. Theory is rarely used to tailor adherence solutions. This study aimed to pilot test a novel intervention, developed using the Theoretical Domains Framework, which guides community pharmacists in identifying adherence barriers and delivering tailored solutions (behaviour change techniques). Key study procedures (e.g. recruitment, data collection) for a future randomised controlled trial (cRCT) were also assessed.

METHODS

Using purposive sampling, this non-randomised pilot study aimed to recruit 12 community pharmacies (six in Northern Ireland; six in London, England). Pharmacists were trained to deliver the intervention to non-adherent older patients (maximum 10 per pharmacy; target n = 60-120) aged ≥ 65 years (reduced to 50 years due to recruitment challenges) and prescribed ≥ 4 regular medicines. The intervention, guided by an iPad web-application, was delivered over 3-4 face-to-face or telephone sessions, tailored to specific barriers to adherence. We assessed the feasibility of collecting adherence data (primary outcome: self-report and dispensing records), health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and unplanned hospitalisations (secondary outcomes) at baseline and 6-months. The final decision on progressing to a cRCT, using pre-defined 'stop-amend-go' criteria, is presented.

RESULTS

Fifteen pharmacists from 12 pharmacies were recruited and trained. One pharmacy subsequently dropped out. Sixty patients were recruited (meeting the 'Amend' progression criteria), with 56 receiving the intervention. Adherence barriers were identified for 55 patients (98%) and a wide range of behaviour change solutions delivered (median: 5 per patient). Self-report and dispensing adherence data were available for 37 (61.7%) and 44 (73.3%) patients, respectively. HRQOL data were available for 35 (58.3%) patients. GP-reported and self-reported hospitalisations data were available for 47 (78.3%) and 23 (38.3%) patients, respectively. All progression concepts were met (nine 'Go' and three 'Amend' criteria).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates the feasibility of key study procedures (e.g. pharmacy recruitment) and delivery of a tailored adherence intervention in community pharmacies. However, modifications are required to enhance issues identified with patient recruitment, retention and missing data. A future definitive cRCT will explore the effectiveness of the intervention.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN, ISRCTN73831533 , Registered 12 January 2018.

The transition from hospital to home following acute coronary syndrome: an exploratory qualitative study of patient perceptions and early experiences in two countries

OBJECTIVES

Following acute coronary syndrome (ACS), it is standard practice for stable patients to be discharged as quickly as possible from hospital. If patients are not adequately supported at this time, issues such as readmission can occur. We report findings from an exploratory qualitative study investigating the perceptions and early experiences of patients transitioning from hospitals in the UK and USA to home following ACS.

METHODS

Within 1 month of discharge, we conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with patients hospitalised for ACS (UK: n = 8; USA: n = 9). Data were analysed using the Framework Method.

KEY FINDINGS

We identified four superordinate themes. Coping, adjustment and management: Patients were still adjusting to the physical limitations caused by their event but most had begun to implement positive lifestyle changes. Gaps in care transition: Poor communication and organisation postdischarge resulted in delayed follow-up for some patients causing considerable frustration. Quality of care from hospital to home: Patients experienced varied inpatient care quality but had largely positive interactions in primary/community care. Pharmacy input during care transition was viewed favourably in both countries. Medication-taking beliefs and behaviour: Patients reported good initial adherence to treatment but side effects were a concern.

CONCLUSIONS

ACS patients experienced gaps in care early in the transition from hospital to home. Poor communication and uncoordinated support postdischarge negatively impacted patient experience. Further research is needed to determine how patients' early experiences following ACS can affect longer-term outcomes including healthcare engagement and treatment maintenance.