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Evaluation of a computer-assisted medication refill reminder system for improving patient compliance
Insights
Computer-generated refill reminders for cardiovascular disease patients did not significantly improve medication compliance. The computer-assisted program proved not to be economically viable, despite high baseline compliance rates.
Area of Science:
- Health Informatics
- Pharmacoeconomics
- Cardiovascular Medicine
Background:
- Medication non-compliance is a significant issue in managing chronic cardiovascular diseases.
- Computer-assisted interventions are being explored to improve patient adherence and assess economic feasibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of computer-generated refill reminders in improving medication compliance for cardiovascular patients.
- To determine the economic viability of a computer-assisted compliance intervention program.
Main Methods:
- Patients on continuous medication for cardiovascular diseases received computer-generated refill reminders.
- Compliance was measured using defined guidelines, comparing an experimental group with a control group.
Main Results:
- The computer-assisted compliance intervention program did not significantly enhance the rate of timely prescription refills.
- Mean compliance rates exceeded 79% in both the experimental and control groups.
- Patient receptiveness to the reminder program was also assessed.
Conclusions:
- Computer-generated refill reminders may not be an effective strategy for significantly improving medication compliance in this patient population.
- The economic viability of such computer-assisted programs requires careful consideration alongside compliance outcomes.
Abstract:
Computer-generated refill reminder notices were mailed to patients receiving continual medication for cardiovascular diseases to measure improved compliance and to discover whether a computer-assisted program was economically viable. Guidelines were established to define compliance. A computer-assisted compliance intervention program did not significantly improve the rate at which patients had their prescriptions filled "on time" and the mean compliance rate for both experimental and control groups was greater than 79%. Also discussed were cost and compliance strategy implications and the receptiveness of patients to the reminder program.