Targeting adaptability to improve Medication Therapy Management (MTM) implementation in community pharmacy

Area of Science:

• Implementation Science
• Pharmacy Practice
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Medication Therapy Management (MTM) is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes.
• Adaptability of MTM delivery is key for successful implementation in community pharmacy settings.
• Pharmacist perceptions and self-efficacy influence MTM service delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop the MTM Adaptability Framework for pharmacists.
• To assess the impact of an educational intervention based on the MTM Adaptability Framework on MTM completion rates.
• To explore pharmacists' pre- and post-intervention perceptions of MTM knowledge, beliefs, and implementation self-efficacy.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, mixed-methods study in a US supermarket pharmacy chain (93 sites).
• Quasi-experimental, one-group pretest-posttest design for quantitative data on MTM completion rates (CMRs and TMRs).
• Sequential explanatory qualitative arm with semi-structured key informant interviews to explore pharmacist perceptions.

Main Results:

• An 11.4% absolute increase in MTM completion rates was observed post-intervention (46.92% vs. 58.3%; p < 0.001).
• Qualitative data revealed positive shifts in pharmacists' knowledge, beliefs, and self-efficacy regarding MTM implementation.
• Convergence of quantitative and qualitative data indicated that targeting MTM delivery adaptability enhances completion rates and improves pharmacist perceptions.

Conclusions:

• An educational intervention focused on adapting MTM delivery significantly improved MTM completion rates in community pharmacies.
• The MTM Adaptability Framework and associated intervention positively influenced pharmacists' perceptions and self-efficacy.
• Future research should explore combined implementation strategies for enhanced MTM success.