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Published on: August 1, 2019
Pilot of a pharmacist-delivered habit-based intervention to support medication adherence in primary care
Matthew Witry1, James Hoehns1, L Alison Phillips2
1University of Iowa College of Pharmacy, 180 S. Grand Ave CPB, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.
Purpose:
Informed by the Extended Common Sense Model, this study aimed to pilot a pharmacist-led intervention to promote medication adherence through habit formation compared to standard education.
Procedures:
Patients new to medication were recruited in two phases. During Phase 1, the pharmacist provided standard education (control). In Phase 2, the pharmacist added a habit-formation component by completing a habit worksheet with patients. Surveys measuring medication beliefs, habit strength, and adherence were completed at baseline and 100 days later. Cues from the habit worksheets were coded and analyzed.
Findings:
The habit intervention group (N = 17) showed no significant difference from the control group (N = 16) in medication-taking habit strength (p = 0.37) or self-reported adherence (MARS-5) (p = 0.47) at follow-up. Habit strength was the only significant predictor of adherence (MARS-5)(p = 0.02), while necessity beliefs predicted missed doses (p = 0.03).
Conclusion:
High levels of habit strength and adherence may result from high baseline adherence levels. Further research should target patients with known non-adherence or without established medication routines.
Clinical Trial:
# NCT06230978.
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