Complex pharmaceutical care intervention in pulmonary care: part B. Patient opinion and process survey

Abstract

Objective: The IPMP study (Interventions on the principle of Pulmonary Medication Profiles) investigates and describes the results of complex pharmaceutical care interventions provided to selected pulmonary patients to improve their drug use. This paper describes the patients' opinions about the care provided and the results of the intervention.

Method: Questionnaires investigating patients' opinions about provided pharmaceutical care were sent to 185 patients participating in the IPMP study after the intervention by their pharmacists had been finished. One year after the start of the intervention, patients were invited to a final consultation by their pharmacists to evaluate their drug use and their symptoms (n = 138). At this point in time pharmacists investigated the knowledge of the patients about the medication and their inhaler technique again.

Main outcome measure: The influence of the intervention on patients' symptoms. Change in drug-related problems, knowledge and skills concerning pulmonary medication after intervention. Satisfaction of the patients with the provided pharmaceutical care.

Results: In total 141 out of 185 patients completed the questionnaire. Patients were satisfied with the intervention by their pharmacists and considered it important. The majority (67%) reported that they had learned more about their medication or the inhaler technique, resulting in significantly improved coping behaviour with their pulmonary medication compared with patients who valued the intervention as a nice conversation with their pharmacist only. Patients with improved ability to cope reported statistically significantly fewer symptoms compared with patients reporting no change in behaviour (chi-square test, P < 0.05). In the final consultation of 138 patients, pharmacists observed increased knowledge and skills and decreased drug-related problems. The patients concerned were pleased with the change in treatment and were more satisfied with their current medication as compared with their earlier reports.

Conclusion: Patients can be influenced effectively by the tailored intervention of pharmacists resulting in improved ability to cope with pulmonary medication and in fewer reported adverse effects and symptoms. Patients attributed these results to the intervention of the pharmacists.