title: Evaluation of software-based telephone counseling to enhance medication persistency among patients with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of a software-supported intervention based on the Transtheoretical Model of Change and motivational interviewing on decreasing discontinuation (or increasing persistency) of Avonex (interferon beta-1a--Biogen), a medication for treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled experimental design comparison of software-based telephone counseling (intervention group) and standard care (control group).
  
  
  METHODS
  United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  366 patients with MS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Software-based telephone counseling.
  
  
  METHODS
  Discontinuation of Avonex treatment and movement among stages of the Transtheoretical Model of Change.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients in the software intervention group demonstrated a statistically significantly lower proportion of Avonex treatment (1.2%) discontinuation than the standard care group (8.7%). In addition, stage movement away from discontinuation of Avonex (i.e., toward continuation of therapy) was significantly higher in the treatment group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Transtheoretical Model of Change constructs and motivational interviewing processes were effectively incorporated into a software-based intervention program, and this significantly decreased the proportion of patients who discontinued treatment of MS with Avonex. The integration of behavioral theory with information systems offers a promising approach for pharmacists and other providers to promote medication persistency.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Care Systems, 128 Miller Hall, Auburn University, AL 36849-5506, USA. bergeba@mail.auburn.edu
authors.forename: Bruce A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.forename: Huigang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Karen Suchanek
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Hudmon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012737:Sex Factors; D012984:Software; D013689:Telephone
chemical_list: D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a