Pharmacist provision of patient medication education groups

Abstract

In the United States, medication nonadherence accounts for 10% of all hospital admissions and 33–69% of medication-related admissions, resulting in direct costs of $100–$289 billion annually.1,–6 Inadequate information about medication and a lack of understanding are barriers to adherence for many patients.7,–11 Pharmacist-provided medication education that targets adherence-related factors is necessary to help reduce these hospitalizations. This is a critical area in which pharmacists are well positioned to have a significant impact. There is growing documentation of the benefits of pharmacist-provided medication education, including fewer adverse drug reactions,12 decreased emergency department visits and hospital readmissions,12,–15 increased patient satisfaction,16 and cost savings.14 However, pharmacists do not routinely provide medication education to the majority of patients. A 2012 national survey found that only 22% of patients deemed "at risk" received pharmacist-provided education in a hospital setting and that only 9% received pharmacist follow-up by telephone after hospital discharge.17 The frequency of medication education provided to patients by pharmacists in the community pharmacy setting may be higher than in the hospital, yet fewer than 50% of patients are reached. Pharmacists at community chain pharmacies in various U.S. metropolitan areas provided at least one item of information for a new prescription just 43% of the time.18