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A Pharmacy-Based eHealth Intervention Promoting Correct Use of Medication in Patients With Asthma and COPD:
Kyma Schnoor1,2, Anke Versluis1,2, Robbert Bakema3
1Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.
Journal of Medical Internet Research
|June 8, 2022
Summary
The SARA eHealth intervention shows promise in reducing exacerbations and improving medication adherence for asthma and COPD patients. This digital tool supports correct inhaler use through pharmacist-led guidance.
Area of Science:
- Respiratory Medicine
- Digital Health Interventions
- Pharmacist-Led Care
Background:
- Asthma and COPD affect millions globally, with medication misuse being a significant challenge.
- The Service Apothecary Respiratory Advice (SARA) is an eHealth intervention designed to enhance correct inhalation medication use.
- SARA provides educational resources and on-demand pharmacist support to improve patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of the SARA eHealth intervention on exacerbation rates in asthma and COPD patients.
- To assess SARA's secondary effects on medication adherence for maintenance therapies.
- To investigate the influence of SARA on the use of antimycotic treatments among inhaled corticosteroid users.
Main Methods:
- A nonrandomized pre-post study design was employed, analyzing dispensing data from 382 Dutch pharmacies.
- Exacerbation rates were determined by dispensed short-course oral corticosteroids; adherence was measured by proportion of days covered.
- Outcomes were compared between SARA participants (n=2400) and control participants (n=7052) over a one-year period before and after SARA implementation.
Main Results:
- SARA participants experienced a significantly lower increase in exacerbation rates compared to controls (P=.002).
- Chronic users of inhalation medication in the SARA group showed a significantly greater improvement in medication adherence (P=.01).
- No significant differences in adherence were observed for new users, nor in antimycotic dispensing rates between groups.
Conclusions:
- The SARA eHealth intervention demonstrates preliminary evidence of potential in reducing exacerbations for respiratory patients.
- SARA may improve medication adherence, particularly among chronic users of inhalation therapies.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and explore the broader clinical utility of SARA.
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