Validation of a comprehensive classification tool for treatment-related problems

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Care
• Drug Therapy Management
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Existing drug-related problem classification systems lack comprehensiveness and validation.
• A need exists for a robust tool to support pharmaceutical care practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a comprehensive assessment and classification tool for treatment-related problems.
• To enhance the identification, resolution, and prevention of drug-related issues in pharmaceutical care.
• To support teaching, practice, and research in pharmaceutical care.

Main Methods:

• Literature search to define and compile a database of treatment-related problems.
• Pooling and categorization of identified problems based on shared constructs.
• Development and validation of an assessment instrument, including content, internal, external validity, reproducibility, and inter-rater agreement testing.

Main Results:

• A validated tool with six main categories: Indication, Effectiveness, Safety, Knowledge, Adherence, and Miscellaneous.
• The tool encompasses nine subcategories and a total of 29 distinct treatment-related problems.
• The final instrument demonstrated validity and reproducibility when applied to patient cases.

Conclusions:

• The developed treatment-related problems assessment and classification tool is valid for practical application in pharmaceutical care.
• The tool offers novel features for improving drug therapy management.
• This instrument is suitable for use in educational, clinical, and research settings within pharmaceutical care.