Developing a mHealth intervention to redesign the current journey for people living with HIV: A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: People living with human immunodeficiency virus could particularly benefit from mobile health (mHealth). The objective of the study was to  contribute to the design and development of a new standard of care for people  living with human immunodeficiency virus and the mHealth app needed to  support it by 1) exploring the view of people living with human  immunodeficiency virus and healthcare professionals on the possibilities of  mHealth tools on HIV care, and 2) implementing their feedback into the new  app and into the new journey of people living with human immunodeficiency  virus. METHOD: The study was conducted in two different phases: phase one was to  apprise patients' and healthcare professionals' perspectives on mHealth using  the qualitative methodology of the focus groups, whereas phase two aimed to  implement their feedback into the application. RESULTS: A total of five people living with human immunodeficiency virus and  nine healthcare professionals (three clinical pharmacists, three nurses, two  physicians, and one pharmacy technician) participated in the focus groups. The  patients identified the following main aspects to be improved in the  current patients' journey: insufficient information (n = 5), lack of general  population disease awareness (n = 5), and medication dispensation model (n =  3). Moreover, healthcare professionals identified the next health outcomes  to be enhanced with mHealth tools: patients' quality of life (n = 7), control of  the disease (n = 5) and comorbidities (n = 3), and adherence to medication (n = 5). According to these needs, the new healthcare model was designed. The  mHealth was provided with different features, such as information about the  disease, health promotion and prevention, the possibility of two-way patient- healthcare professionals communication, or synchronization with other devices. The new human immunodeficiency virus care journey and the app are currently being tested in a group of people living with human immunodeficiency virus in real-world conditions in our hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Improving patients' quality of life, therapeutic adherence, or  disease control are key objectives for optimizing people living with human  immunodeficiency virus care. Our digital health tool and the new healthcare  model have been implemented based on end-users' feedback to achieve better  patients-healthcare professionals communication and patient engagement with their care.

OBJETIVO: Las personas que viven con el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana podrían beneficiarse de nuevas estrategias de salud móvil (mSalud). El  objetivo del estudio fue contribuir al diseño y desarrollo de un nuevo modelo  asistencial en la población con virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana y de la  aplicación móvil necesaria para apoyarlo mediante: 1) la exploración de la  visión de personas que viven con el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana y  profesionales sanitarios sobre las herramientas digitales en la atención a este  colectivo, y 2) la implementación de sus perspectivas en la nueva aplicación y  en la nueva ruta asistencial.Método: El estudio se realizó en dos fases: la primera tenía como objetivo conocer las perspectivas de los participantes sobre la salud móvil mediante la metodología cualitativa de los grupos focales, y la segunda implementar estas valoraciones en la aplicación. RESULTADOS: Participaron cinco pacientes y nueve profesionales sanitarios (tres farmacéuticos clínicos, tres enfermeras, dos médicas y una  técnico de farmacia). Los pacientes consideraron que debían mejorarse los siguientes aspectos en su ruta asistencial: información insuficiente (n = 5),  falta de conocimiento de la enfermedad (n = 5) y modelo de dispensación de la medicación (n = 3). Los profesionales identificaron que debían mejorarse: la  calidad de vida de los pacientes (n = 7), el control de su enfermedad (n = 5) y de sus comorbilidades (n = 3), y la adherencia terapéutica (n = 5). De acuerdo con estas necesidades, se diseñó el nuevo modelo asistencial. Las siguientes  características se incorporaron a la mHealth: información sobre la enfermedad,  promoción y prevención de la salud, posibilidad de comunicación  bidireccional profesional-paciente o sincronización con otros dispositivos. La  nueva ruta asistencial y la aplicación están siendo estudiadas en un grupo de  personas que viven con el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana en  condiciones de vida real y en seguimiento en nuestro hospital. CONCLUSIONES: La mejora de la calidad de vida, la adherencia terapéutica y el  control de la enfermedad son factores clave para la optimización de la atención de las personas que viven con el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana.  Nuestra herramienta de salud digital y el modelo asistencial han sido diseñados en base a la opinión de pacientes para mejorar la comunicación profesional- paciente sanitario y conseguir un mayor compromiso de los pacientes con su  cuidado.

Desarrollo de una intervención mHealth para rediseñar la ruta asistencial de las personas que viven con VIH: Estudio cualitativo / Developing a mHealth intervention to redesign the current journey for people living with HIV: A qualitative study

Objetivo: Las personas que viven con el virus de la inmunodeficienciahumana podrían beneficiarse de nuevas estrategias de salud móvil (mSalud). El objetivo del estudio fue contribuir al diseño y desarrollo de unnuevo modelo asistencial en la población con virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana y de la aplicación móvil necesaria para apoyarlo mediante:1) la exploración de la visión de personas que viven con el virus de lainmunodeficiencia humana y profesionales sanitarios sobre las herramientas digitales en la atención a este colectivo, y 2) la implementación desus perspectivas en la nueva aplicación y en la nueva ruta asistencial.Método: El estudio se realizó en dos fases: la primera tenía como objetivo conocer las perspectivas de los participantes sobre la salud móvilmediante la metodología cualitativa de los grupos focales, y la segundaimplementar estas valoraciones en la aplicación.Resultados: Participaron cinco pacientes y nueve profesionales sanitarios (tres farmacéuticos clínicos, tres enfermeras, dos médicas y una técnico de farmacia). Los pacientes consideraron que debían mejorarse lossiguientes aspectos en su ruta asistencial: información insuficiente (n = 5), falta de conocimiento de la enfermedad (n = 5) y modelo de dispensación de la medicación (n = 3). Los profesionales identificaron que debíanmejorarse: la calidad de vida de los pacientes (n = 7), el control de suenfermedad (n = 5) y de sus comorbilidades (n = 3), y la adherencia terapéutica (n = 5). De acuerdo con estas necesidades, se diseñó el nuevomodelo asistencial. (AU)

Objective: People living with human immunodeficiency virus couldparticularly benefit from mobile health (mHealth). The objective of thestudy was to contribute to the design and development of a new standard of care for people living with human immunodeficiency virus andthe mHealth app needed to support it by 1) exploring the view of peopleliving with human immunodeficiency virus and healthcare professionals onthe possibilities of mHealth tools on HIV care, and 2) implementing theirfeedback into the new app and into the new journey of people living withhuman immunodeficiency virus.Method: The study was conducted in two different phases: phase onewas to apprise patients’ and healthcare professionals’ perspectives onmHealth using the qualitative methodology of the focus groups, whereasphase two aimed to implement their feedback into the application.Results: A total of five people living with human immunodeficiency virusand nine healthcare professionals (three clinical pharmacists, three nurses, two physicians, and one pharmacy technician) participated in thefocus groups. The patients identified the following main aspects to be improved in the current patients’ journey: insufficient information (n = 5),lack of general population disease awareness (n = 5), and medicationdispensation model (n = 3). Moreover, healthcare professionals identifiedthe next health outcomes to be enhanced with mHealth tools: patients’quality of life (n = 7), control of the disease (n = 5) and comorbidities(n = 3), and adherence to medication (n = 5). According to these needs,the new healthcare model was designed. (AU)

A cohort study of guselkumab in the treatment of psoriasis refractory to previous biologic therapies: effectiveness, safety and adherence.

Background Guselkumab is indicated for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Data from real-life clinical practice regarding its use are scarce, especially concerning patients who relapse after previous biologic therapies. Aim This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and adherence to guselkumab in psoriasis refractory to biologic therapies. Method This real-life, retrospective study included patients who initiated guselkumab between February 2019 and October 2020. The main objective was to assess effectiveness, expressed as the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) ≤5, ≤2 and 0, at the first follow-up medical visit. As secondary effectiveness outcomes, we assessed the body surface area (BSA) and dermatology life quality index (DLQI). We also evaluated adverse events and adherence (using the medication possession ratio [MPR]). Results The study included 35 patients who had previously received a median of two biologic drugs. The median basal PASI score (IQR) was 11 (7.3-15.9), decreasing to 0 (0-1.4) at first follow-up medical visit. At this point, 32 patients (94.1%) reached PASI ≤5, 28 (82.4%) PASI ≤2 and 19 (55.9%) PASI 0. We also found statistically significant improvements in PASI, BSA and DLQI at first follow-up (p<0.001). Three patients developed adverse events. Most patients (N=29, 85.3%) had an MPR ≥90%. The MPR was not associated with PASI score at first follow-up. Conclusion Our study supports evidence that guselkumab is an effective and safe drug in psoriasis refractory to biologic therapies. Adherence to treatment is not related to effectiveness, suggesting that, in some cases, the interval between doses could be increased.

Efectividad Del Tratamiento De La Hepatitis C En Pacientes Controlados Desde La Consulta De Atención Farmacéutica / Effectiveness of hepatitis C antiviral treatment in attended patients from the outpatient pharmacy consultation

OBJETIVOS: Determinar la efectividad del tratamiento de la hepatitis C crónica definida como la respuesta viral sostenida a las 12 semanas (RVS12) tras la finalización del tratamiento con fármacos antivirales de acción directa (AAD) (glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, sofosbuvir/velpatasvir, sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir y grazoprevir/elbasvir) en pacientes atendidos en la consulta de farmacia ambulatoria. MÉTODOS: estudio retrospectivo que incluye los pacientes atendidos por farmacia que iniciaron tratamiento con AAD entre el 1 de diciembre de 2017 y el 31 de mayo de 2018. Se registraron datos demográficos, de la enfermedad, grado de adherencia y consultas sobre el tratamiento (interacciones, efectos adversos y otras). RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 205 pacientes con diferentes genotipos de hepatitis C, estados de fibrosis y grados de morbilidad. La efectividad fue del 99,5%, similar a la reportada en los ensayos clínicos. CONCLUSIONES: Estos resultados se asemejan a los obtenidos en las consultas de farmacia en Estados Unidos, funcionando desde hace más de diez años

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of the treatment of chronic hepatitis C determined as the sustained viral response at 12 weeks (SVR12) after the end of treatment with direct-acting antiviral drugs (DAA) (glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, sofosbuvir/velpatasvir, sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir and grazoprevir/elbasvir) in attended patients from the outpatient pharmacy consultation. METHOD: a retrospective study that includes patients attended by pharmacists who started treatment between December 1, 2017 and May 31, 2018. Demographic data, disease, adherence and treatment consultations were recorded (interactions, adverse effects and others). RESULTS: Two hundred and five patients were included, with different hepatitis C genotypes, fibrosis states and morbidity levels. Effectiveness was 99.5%, similar to that of clinical trials. CONCLUSIONS: These results resemble those obtained in pharmacy consultations in the United States, operating for more than ten years

Pharmacy and therapeutics committees strategy to address olmesartan safety issues at a primary care level.

Background Olmesartan, an antihypertensive drug, has been associated with a severe and potentially life-threatening sprue-like enteropathy, consisting of a serious, chronic diarrhoea and malabsorption syndrome. Treatment with this drug should be discontinued if patients develop such symptoms. Objective To retrospectively determine the reduction in olmesartan prescription following a strategy promoted by pharmacy and therapeutics committees within daily clinical practice to manage updated safety information on olmesartan. Setting Three primary healthcare centres. Method In May 2016, local pharmacy and therapeutics committees integrated by general practitioners, nursing staff and clinical pharmacists sent information about olmesartan safety issues to general practitioners, together with an individual list of their patients who were then being treated with olmesartan. Moreover, information about dose equivalents between angiotensin II receptor blockers and angiotensin II receptor blockers versus angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors was also attached. The strategy aimed to promote individual benefit/risk assessment by general practitioners of the continuation of olmesartan treatment as a means to achieving a decrease in the risk of sprue-like enteropathy. The investigation team retrospectively reviewed the clinical records. Main outcome measure Reduction of olmesartan prescription. Results Olmesartan was discontinued in 44.4% of patients (197/444) in the year after the safety alert e-mail. In their medical records general practitioners registered that, after informing about olmesartan safety warnings, in four cases (0.9%), patients reported gastrointestinal symptoms. Conclusion A multidisciplinary strategy implemented to promote individual benefit/risk assessment regarding continuation of olmesartan treatment showed an important reduction in olmesartan prescriptions 1 year later.

Design of a relative value unit-based tool for the measurement and reimbursement of pharmacy services for clinical trials.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a relative value unit (RVU)-based tool for the measurement and reimbursement of pharmacy services for clinical trials. METHODS: A portfolio of activities was agreed by consensus in four tertiary hospitals. Related activities were pooled into several categories or intermediate products. We recorded the duration of each activity by multiple determinations. We then calculated the average time of all determinations. The reference activity was assigned a value of 1. All other activities were compared to the reference activity to obtain the RVU. To establish which items should be invoiced to third parties for the activities performed, we defined the final products (different types of clinical trials according to their complexity). RESULTS: Ten intermediate products and five final products were differentiated. Six intermediate products could be repeated over the course of a clinical trial and seven were performed whether or not the clinical trial had included patients. Each final product consisted of different categories. The total number of RVUs produced for a clinical trial was the sum of each constant category value plus the repetitive category values multiplied by the number of repetitions. CONCLUSION: The application of RVU methodology in investigational drug services allows a more precise quantification of services performed. After a prospective validation to confirm the applicability of this tool, it may contribute to more appropriate invoicing to third parties for these services.

Determinants of medication adherence among chronic patients from an urban area: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Medication adherence is a complex area of behaviour. Little is known about what influences chronic patients to take their medicines. This study has aimed to compare and contrast the health-related beliefs, experiences and types of behaviour typical among patients who have at least one chronic condition and are following a pharmacological treatment in accordance with their level of medication adherence. METHODS: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study, consisting of socio-demographic data, the 4-item Morisky-Green scale and 37 statements about health beliefs, perceptions and experiences, was conducted at different levels of healthcare (primary and tertiary settings). RESULTS: A total of 577 questionnaires were analyzed. Respondents had a mean age of 64 and took an average of 4.6 drugs. Optimal adherence was reported by 58.6% of respondents. Bivariate analysis showed adherent subjects were older, took more medications, were in better spirits and had greater confidence and information regarding their treatment. Multivariate analysis found older age and the statements 'My doctor periodically reviews my treatment' and 'I am motivated to continue with the treatment' to be significantly related to medication adherence, while 'I make variations when taking medication depending on how I feel' was significant for medication non-adherence. CONCLUSION: Medication non-adherence is common among chronic patients. Patient-centred approaches should be implemented in daily clinical practice as patient health beliefs, experiences and conduct influence medication-taking. Motivational interviewing might improve medication adherence in permitting emotional state managing and increasing educational skills, patient motivation and confidence between patients and healthcare providers.

Adherencia terapéutica: factores modificadores y estrategias de mejora / Medication Adherence: Modifiers and Improvement Strategies

Objetivos: Describir los factores que pueden influir en la adherencia a los tratamientos farmacológicos y las intervenciones que han sido desarrolladas para su mejora. Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda de los artículos de investigación más importantes publicados sobre el tema en la base de datos National Library of Medicine, Washington, DC (MEDLINE: PubMed). Resultados: La adherencia al tratamiento es un comportamiento complejo influenciado por múltiples factores: socioeconómicos, relacionados con el sistema sanitario, con el tratamiento, con la patología o con el paciente. En cuanto a las intervenciones, principalmente pueden diferenciarse en intervenciones de tipo técnico, intervenciones conductuales o intervenciones educativas. Ninguna de las intervenciones estudiada hasta la fecha ha demostrado ser efectiva de forma universal y permanente. Conclusiones: La adherencia terapéutica es un comportamiento dinámico influenciado por una gran variedad de factores y, por ello, las estrategias para mejorarla deberán individualizarse para cada paciente

Objective: To describe what factors may influence medication adherence and what interventions have been developed to improve it. Methods: A search of the most relevant research articles published on the subject was performed in the National Library of Medicine database, Washington, DC (MEDLINE: PubMed). Results: Medication adherence is a complex behavior that has been linked to many aspects, such as socio-economic status, the healthcare team and the healthcare system, condition-related factors, therapy-related factors, and patient-related factors. Many interventions have been developed to improve therapeutic adherence, however, none of them have proved to date to be effective in all patients and permanently. Interventions to enhance adherence can be differentiated in technical interventions, behavioral interventions or educational interventions. Conclusions: Medication adherence is a dynamic behavior influenced by a great variety of factors. Consequently, improvement strategies should be individualized for each patient

Métodos para medir la adherencia terapeútica / Methods to assess medication adherence

Objetivos: Describir cuáles son los principales métodos para medir la adherencia terapéutica de los pacientes y determinar los más idóneos para ser utilizados en la práctica clínica diaria de la Farmacia Comunitaria. Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda no sistemática de los artículos de investigación más importantes publicados sobre el tema en la base de datos National Library of Medicine, Washington, DC (MEDLINE: PubMed). Resultados:Los métodos para medir la adherencia terapéutica pueden dividirse en métodos directos o indirectos. Dentro de los métodos directos están la determinación de la concentración del fármaco o su metabolito en una muestra biológica y la terapia directamente observada. Los métodos indirectos pueden ser basados en la entrevista clínica al paciente (incluye la utilización de cuestionarios), en el recuento de medicación sobrante, en el empleo de dispositivos electrónicos o en el análisis de los registros de dispensación. El empleo de cuestionarios para determinar la adherencia autocomunicada por el propio paciente es un método muy útil en la práctica clínica diaria, sencillo y barato. Entre la multitud de cuestionarios existentes, la elección de uno frente a otros se basará en la patología que sufre el paciente y en la información que se quiera analizar (comportamiento del paciente, barreras o creencias acerca de la adherencia terapéutica). Conclusiones: Existen múltiples y diferentes métodos para medir la adherencia terapéutica. No hay ningún método óptimo por lo que se recomienda la combinación de varias técnicas. Las opciones más factibles para su empleo durante la práctica clínica diaria de la Farmacia Comunitaria son la utilización de cuestionarios administrados por el propio paciente y el análisis del registro de dispensaciones

Objective: To describe the most important methods of assessing medication adherence and to determine what methods can be used in the Community Pharmacy daily clinical practice. Methods: A non-systematic search of the most relevant research articles published on the subject was performed in the National Library of Medicine database, Washington, DC (MEDLINE: PubMed). Results: The methods available for measuring adherence can be classified into direct and indirect methods. Direct measures include measurement of the drug or its metabolite concentration in a biological sample and directly observed therapy. Indirect methods include asking the patient (or using a self-report adherence scale), performing pill counts, using of electronic devices and checking rates of refilling prescriptions. The collection of patient’s self-reports questionnaires is a very useful, simple and inexpensive method in clinical settings. Among all the existing questionnaires, the choice of one against another will be based on patient’s illness and according to what has to be measured (patient’s medication-taking behavior, barriers or beliefs associated with adherence). Conclusions: There are multiple and different methods for assessing therapeutic adherence. None of them is considered the gold standard. For this reason, it is recommended to use several methods. The most feasible options in Community Pharmacy daily clinical practice are the utilization of self-report medication adherence scales and analysis of refilling prescriptions

Patients' Perspective of Medication Adherence in Chronic Conditions: A Qualitative Study.

INTRODUCTION: About 50% of patients do not take their long-term therapy for chronic conditions as prescribed. Many studies have centered on patients' adherence to a specific treatment or single conditions, but few have taken all chronic conditions into consideration from a patient's perspective. This study aims to explore factors that impact on drug compliance and to identify strategies to improve this from the perspective of patients with at least one chronic condition. METHODS: Patients were recruited by healthcare professionals from a hospital pharmacy, four community pharmacies, patient associations, and a primary care center in Barcelona. Five focus groups were conducted (N = 36). Conversations were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim to allow qualitative analysis. RESULTS: Study subjects were aged 39-90 years (mean 65 years) and the mean number of comorbidities per patient was 2.3 (range 1-7). The main modifiers of therapeutic conduct were: patients' health beliefs, patient-prescriber relationships, and patients' motivation and perception of illness control. Study participants wanted greater participation in decision-making concerning their health and increased education about their illness and medication. They also wanted individualized healthcare that took their preferences and personal and emotional issues into account. CONCLUSION: Our results highlight how the patient-prescriber's relationship and factors such as health beliefs, motivation and perception of illness control impact on medication adherence in chronic patients. Future interventions to optimize adherence to treatment should focus on shared decision-making and more extensive health education. FUNDING: Celgene Corporation.