Use of pharmacy computer prescription database to access hypertensive patients for mailed survey research.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the use of a pharmacy computer prescription database (PCPD) to identify and sample hypertensive patients outside of their treatment setting for mailed, self-administered survey research comparing the presence and lack of participation incentives and mailed follow-up reminders.


METHODS
Two independent, privately owned, free-standing community pharmacies.


METHODS
A total of 735 individuals identified from a PCPD search who had been prescribed at least 1 of 130 PCPD medications potentially used in hypertensive therapy.


METHODS
PCPD was searched by the pharmacist/owner per protocol; participants were sent an individually addressed cover letter on pharmacy letterhead signed by the pharmacist that requested voluntary anonymous completion of an enclosed self-administered, quality-of-life opinion survey; the first search used no incentive or follow-up; the second search used an incentive and mailed a follow-up reminder. Research protocol followed published ethics guidelines.


RESULTS
There was a mean 84% return with incentive and follow-up strategies compared with a mean 25% return without strategies (p < 0.01) for all drug groups between searches; no statistical difference in response was shown between the same drug groups (alpha 1-blockers, calcium-channel blockers, and centrally acting alpha 2-agonists) within searches.


CONCLUSIONS
Acceptable response rates (74-93% return) can be obtained with traditional follow-up mailed incentives, prescription issuance within 6 months, incentives to both hypertensive and nonhypertensive responders, and sampling strategies within potential drug groups. Methodology can be adapted to other populations by alternative drug sampling strategies.
Beto
J A
JA
Division of Renal Disease and Hypertension, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA.
Listecki
R E
RE
Meyer
D A
DA
Budhy
R J
RJ
Bansal
V K
VK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D016303:Clinical Pharmacy Information Systems; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents