E1-a - Pharmacist Medication Reviews via Videoconference: A Prospective Cohort Pilot Study in Remote and Rural Underserviced Communities

1. Access to care: improving access to team-based care

  • Date: Friday, September 20, 2019
  • Concurrent Session E

  • Time: 11:00am–11:45am

  • Room: Pier 7
  • Style: Presentation (information provided to audience, with opportunity for audience to ask question)
  • Focus: Balance between both (e.g. Presentation of a best-practice guideline that combines research evidence, policy issues and practical steps for implementation)
  • Target Audience: Leadership (ED, clinical lead, board chair, board member, etc.), Clinical providers, Administrative staff, Representatives of stakeholder/partner organizations

Learning Objectives

  1.  Describe Health Quality Ontario Transitions to Home Quality Standards with a focus on Medication Review and Support
  2. Describe pharmacist medication reviews via videoconference:
    1. The patient experience, 
    2. Types and causes of drug-related problems and
    3. Pharmacist interventions
  3. Express implications for pharmacist medication reviews via videoconference for potential system and resource integration in terms of access to programs and services that supports patients and their providers."

 

Summary/Abstract

Multidisciplinary telemedicine teams including pharmacists demonstrate improved health outcomes by enhancing access to healthcare. Health Quality Ontario Quality Standards require patients transitioning from hospital to home have medication reviews (MR) on admission, discharge, then at home.  For patients without access to a pharmacist, medication reviews (MR) are non-existent. We studied pharmacists conducting interviews with patients about their medications via videoconference to determine feasibility and patient acceptability.  Time requirements, frequencies/causes and interventions of pharmacist identified drug-therapy problems (DTP) and issues to enhance program improvement were documented.  Kroll pharmacy software identified patients on > 3 medications for chronic disease or at least one medication for diabetes.  Interviews were booked via the Ontario Telemedicine encrypted Network. Pharmacists reviewed the patient’s electronic health record and community pharmacy records prior to the interview.  Using a motivational interviewing approach, the pharmacist identified DTPs and followed up with patients and/or their prescribers.  The patients completed an anonymous satisfaction survey.    

Our research demonstrates a feasible and acceptable opportunity to increase access for all Ontarians to a pharmacist care regardless of location or time of day.  Pharmacists can be part of an inter-professional and collaborative patient-centred care team, conduct medication management, ensure seamless care, follow up (in home or in clinic), patient coaching on disease prevention and self-managed care, all by utilizing established digital health technologies.  Further study could address impact on health care outcomes and utilization (ER visits and hospitalization).
 

Presenter

  • Paula Newman, RPh BSc Phm ACPR, Clinical Pharmacist and Research Specialist, Northwest Telepharmacy Solutions
  • Sammu Dhaliwall, RPh, ACPR, Pharm D Clinical Pharmacist and Senior Manager, Business Development, Northwest Telepharmacy Solutions

Authors/Contributors

  • Paula Newman RPh BSc Phm ACPR Clinical Pharmacist and Research Specialist Northwest Telepharmacy Solutions    
  • Dora Chan RPh Pharm D BCGP Clinical Pharmacist Northwest Telepharmacy Solutions    
  • Sammu Dhaliwall RPh ACPR Pharm D.  Clinical Pharmacist and Business Development Manager Northwest Telepharmacy Solutions    
  • Olena Polyakova MD PhD Research Facilitator Northwest Telepharmacy Solutions    
  • Kevin McDonald RPh BSc Phm ACPR. Director Northwest Telepharmacy Solutions
2019 Concurrent Session