A systematic literature review and meta-analysis of community pharmacist-led interventions to optimise the use of antibiotics

Aims

The aim of this systematic review is to assess the effects of community pharmacist‐led interventions to optimise the use of antibiotics and identify which interventions are most effective.

Methods

This review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO: CRD42020188552). PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for (randomised) controlled trials. Included interventions were required to target antibiotic use, be set in the community pharmacy context, and be pharmacist‐led. Primary outcomes were quality of antibiotic supply and adverse effects while secondary outcomes included patient‐reported outcomes. Risk of bias was assessed using the ‘Cochrane suggested risk of bias criteria’ and narrative synthesis of primary outcomes conducted.

Results

Seventeen studies were included covering in total 3822 patients (mean age 45.6 years, 61.9% female). Most studies used educational interventions. Three studies reported on primary outcomes, 12 on secondary outcomes and two on both. Three studies reported improvements in quality of dispensing, interventions led to more intensive symptom assessment (up to 30% more advice given) and a reduction of over‐the‐counter supply up to 53%. Three studies led to higher consumer satisfaction, effects on adherence from nine studies were mixed (risk difference 0.04 [−0.02, 0.10]). All studies had unclear or high risks of bias across at least one domain, with large heterogeneity between studies.

Conclusions

Our review suggests some positive results from pharmacist‐led interventions, but the interventions do not seem sufficiently effective as currently implemented. This review should be interpreted as exploratory research, as more high‐quality research is needed.

Is there a conflict between general practitioners applying guidelines for antibiotic prescribing and including their patients' preferences?

OBJECTIVES

One perceived barrier to guideline adherence is the existence of conflicting patient preferences. We examined whether patient preferences influence the prescription of antibiotics in general practice, and how this affects guideline adherence. We hypothesized that preferences play a larger role in prescribing antibiotics if the guideline allows for preferences to be taken into account, ie, if prescribing antibiotics is an option which can be considered rather than a clear recommendation to prescribe or not. We included three guidelines: acute cough, acute rhinosinusitis, and urinary tract infections.

METHODS

Data from NIVEL (the Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research) Primary Care Database (NIVEL-PCD) were used to assess antibiotic indications and prescriptions. These data were combined with a questionnaire among members of NIVEL's Dutch Health Care Consumer Panel to examine patient preferences. According to NIVEL-PCD, 286 of these members contacted their general practitioner (GP) in 2015 for acute cough, acute rhinosinusitis or urinary tract infections. A logistic multilevel regression analysis was performed to test our hypothesis.

RESULTS

Patient preferences do play a role in GPs' prescribing of antibiotics only in situations where, in accordance with the guideline, their use is an option which could be considered (interaction between indication and preference: p=0.049). If patients ask for antibiotics themselves in such situations, then GPs prescribe antibiotics more often.

CONCLUSION

Patient preferences only play a role if the guideline provides room to take preferences into account. Therefore, our results do not suggest a conflict between applying guidelines and including patient preferences. Further research is recommended to examine this possible conflict in other situations.

Understanding Statin Non-Adherence: Knowing Which Perceptions and Experiences Matter to Different Patients

Background

Non-adherence to statins is substantial and is associated with numerous perceptions and experiences. However, time limits in clinical practice constrain in depth explorations of these perceptions and experiences.

Objectives

To propose and examine a strategy aimed at an efficient assessment of a wide array of perceptions and experiences regarding the efficacy, side effects, and practical problems of statins. Furthermore, to assess associations between this wide array of experiences and perceptions and non-adherence and to examine whether patients' 'perceived self-efficacy' moderated these associations.

Methods

Patients were recruited through community pharmacies. A wide array of specific patient perceptions and experiences was efficiently assessed using the electronic Tailored Medicine Inventory that allows people to skip irrelevant questions. Adherence was measured through self-report and pharmacy refill data.

Results

Of the two-hundred twenty-nine patients who participated (mean age 63.9, standard deviation 10.2), 40%-70% doubted the necessity of or lacked knowledge about the efficacy of statins, 20%-35% of the patients were worried about joint and muscle side effects or had experienced these, and 23% had encountered practical problems regarding information about statins, intake of tablets, the package, or the blister. Experiencing more practical problems was associated with increased unintentional non-adherence (Odds ratio 1.54, 95%CI:1.13–2.10, P < 0.01), whereas worrying about side effects was associated with increased intentional non-adherence (Odds ratio 1.90, 95%CI:1.17–3.08, P < 0.01). Higher 'perceived self-efficacy' did not moderate these associations.

Conclusions

Insight into patients' specific barriers with regard to appropriate statin use may reveal personal reasons for being non-adherent. The Tailored Medicine Inventory is a promising tool to devise individualized intervention strategies aimed at improving adherence by the clinician-patient alliance.

Patients' general satisfaction with telephone counseling by pharmacists and effects on satisfaction with information and beliefs about medicines: Results from a cluster randomized trial

OBJECTIVE

Assess effects of pharmacists' counseling by telephone on patients' satisfaction with counseling, satisfaction with information and beliefs about medicines for newly prescribed medicines.

METHODS

A cluster randomized trial in Dutch community pharmacies. Patients ≥18 years were included when starting with antidepressants, bisphosphonates, RAS-inhibitors or statins. The intervention comprised counseling by telephone to address barriers to adherent behavior. It was supported by an interview protocol. Controls received usual care. Outcomes were effects on beliefs about medication, satisfaction with information and counseling. Data was collected with a questionnaire.

RESULTS

Responses of 211 patients in nine pharmacies were analyzed. More intervention arm patients were satisfied with counseling (adj. OR 2.2 (95% CI 1.3, 3.6)). Patients with counseling were significantly more satisfied with information on 4 items, had less concerns and less frequently had a 'skeptical' attitude towards medication (adj. OR 0.5 (0.3-0.9)). Effects on most outcomes were more pronounced in men than in women.

CONCLUSIONS

Telephone counseling by pharmacists improved satisfaction with counseling and satisfaction with information on some items. It had a small effect on beliefs about medicines.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Pharmacists can use counseling by telephone, but more research is needed to find out which patients benefit most.

Endocrine therapy for breast cancer: assessing an array of women's treatment experiences and perceptions, their perceived self-efficacy and nonadherence

BACKGROUND

Although adjuvant endocrine therapy effectively prevents breast cancer recurrence, nonadherence rates are substantial. We therefore examined associations of women's experiences and perceptions regarding the efficacy, side effects, and practical problems of endocrine therapy with nonadherence. Furthermore, we examined whether women's perceived self-efficacy moderated these associations.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Two hundred forty-one breast cancer patients participated. Using the electronic Tailored Medicine Inventory, which enables skipping of irrelevant items, experiences and perceptions were assessed in a comprehensive yet feasible manner. Adherence was assessed according to self-report and evaluated for agreement with adherence estimated from pharmacy refill data.

RESULTS

A substantial number of women doubted the efficacy of endocrine therapy, were worried about and/or had experienced hot flushes, loss of libido, joint ache, and/or practical problems with regard to information, intake, and packaging. Experience of practical problems (odds ratio [OR], 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-5.8) and perceived self-efficacy with regard to medicine intake (OR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.4-0.7) were associated with unintentional nonadherence. Number of side effects experienced (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.05-1.4) and perceived self-efficacy with regard to learning about medication (OR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.4-0.96) were associated with intentional nonadherence. Perceived self-efficacy did not moderate associations between women's treatment experiences and perceptions and nonadherence.

CONCLUSION

Endocrine therapy is challenging for many women. Targeting women's specific experiences and perceptions and improving their perceived self-efficacy is likely to decrease intentional and unintentional nonadherence.

Antidepressants in primary care: patients' experiences, perceptions, self-efficacy beliefs, and nonadherence

PURPOSE

Patient adherence to antidepressants is poor. However, this is rather unsurprising, given the equivocal efficacy, side effects, and practical problems of antidepressants. The aim of this study was to examine a wide array of patient experiences and perceptions regarding the efficacy, side effects, and practical problems of antidepressants, as well as their associations with nonadherence, and whether patients' perceived self-efficacy moderated these associations.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Experiences and perceptions of 225 patients, recruited through community pharmacies, were efficiently assessed with the Tailored Medicine Inventory. Nonadherence was assessed through self-report and pharmacy refill data.

RESULTS

Many patients were not convinced of the efficacy, thought the efficacy to be limited or did not believe antidepressants to prevent relapse, were worried about or had experienced one or more side effects, and/or had experienced one or more practical problems regarding information, intake, and packaging. Being convinced of efficacy was associated with lower intentional nonadherence (odds ratio [OR] 0.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.8-0.96). A higher number of practical problems experienced was associated with increased unintentional nonadherence (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1-1.7). Higher perceived self-efficacy regarding taking antidepressants was associated with lower unintentional nonadherence (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.5-0.9). Perceived self-efficacy did not moderate associations of patient experiences and perceptions with nonadherence.

CONCLUSION

Assessing a wide array of patients' experiences and perceptions regarding the efficacy, side effects, and practical problems of antidepressants contributes to better understanding of nonadherence to antidepressants. Guiding physician-patient conversations by patients' experiences and perceptions may reduce both unintentional and intentional nonadherence. Also, it may give rise to considerations of prudent discontinuation, eg, when patients are not convinced of the efficacy.

How effective are pictograms in communicating risk about driving-impairing medicines?

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate and compare the effectiveness of 2 pictograms in communicating risk in terms of respondents' level of understanding, estimated level of driving risk, and intention to change driving behavior. The added value of a side-text was also investigated.

METHODS

Two experiments were conducted among 270 drivers visiting a pharmacy. Experiment one used a 2 (rating model vs. triangle model pictogram, same side-text) × 3 (minor vs. moderate vs. severe driving risk) between-subjects design. Respondents (n = 30 per condition) were exposed to one of the 6 conditions. To verify the added value of the side-text, a 2 (rating model with side-text vs. rating model without side-text) × 3 (same categories as before) between-subjects design was used.

RESULTS

Although the majority of the respondents understood that the pictograms were related to driving behavior, less than 10 percent and about 36 percent of the respondents looking at the triangle model and at the rating model, respectively, understood it fully. For all categories of risk, respondents who saw the rating model pictogram associated the pictogram significantly more often with risk of medication intake for driving than those who saw the triangle model pictograms. Those exposed to the triangle model overestimated the driving risk of the lowest category and underestimated the risk of the highest category; 78.8 percent of the respondents stated they were (very) likely to change their driving behavior if they were confronted with the pictogram. The added value of the side-text was not confirmed.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite not being fully self-explanatory in conveying warnings and safety-related information, the pictograms evaluated in this research provided good insight into the different levels of driving risks, especially the rating model pictogram, because respondents' intentions to change their driving behaviors increased with higher categories of risk. The added value of the side-text in the rating model pictogram was not confirmed in this research. Pictograms can be seen as a valuable means to reinforce both written and spoken information given to patients by health care providers at the time of consultation.

Why does it run in families? Explaining family similarity in help-seeking behaviour by shared circumstances, socialisation and selection

Why do contact frequencies with general practice of family members resemble each other? Many aspects related to the clustering of health-care utilisation within families have been studied, but the underlying mechanisms have not been addressed. This article considers whether family similarity in contact frequency with general practice can be explained as (a) a result of shared circumstances, (b) through socialisation, and (c) through homogeneity of background characteristics. Data from the second Dutch national survey of general practice were used to test these mechanisms empirically. This survey recorded all consultations in 2001 for 104 general practices in the Netherlands, serving 385,461 patients. Information about socio-demographic characteristics was collected by means of a patient survey. In a random sample, an extended health interview took place (n=12,699). Overall, we were able to show that having determinants in common through socialisation and shared circumstances can explain similarity in contact frequencies within families, but not all hypotheses could be confirmed. In specific terms, this study shows that resemblances in contact frequencies within families can be best explained by spending more time together (socialisation) and parents and children consulting a general practitioner simultaneously (circumstances of the moment). For general practitioners, the mechanisms identified can serve as a framework for a family case history. The importance of the mechanism of socialisation in explaining similarities in help-seeking behaviour between family members points to the significance of knowledge and health beliefs underlying consultation behaviour. An integrated framework including these aspects can help to better explain health behaviour.