Perceptions of patients on Medicare Part D medication therapy management services.
OBJECTIVE
To determine patients' perceptions and expectations about medication therapy management (MTM) services pertaining to the core elements of an MTM service in the community pharmacy setting, and to develop educational strategies and outreach programs aimed at increasing patients' knowledge of MTM services and the expanded role of pharmacists in the community pharmacy setting.


METHODS
Multicenter, cross-sectional, anonymous study.


METHODS
Four regional community chain pharmacies in Maryland and Delaware in January and February 2006.


METHODS
81 patients who were 18 years of age or older and able to complete the survey.


METHODS
Survey containing 14 questions administered within pharmacies, two of which had patient care centers that were providing clinical services.


METHODS
Patients' perceptions and expectations regarding MTM services.


RESULTS
49 of 81 patients (60%) had never heard of MTM services. A total of 65 patients (80%) had never had or received a medication therapy review, 63 (78%) never had or received a personal medication record, and 70 (86%) never had or received a medication action plan. Some 56% of participants (n = 45) thought that pharmacist provision of medication therapy reviews, personal medication records, medication action plans, recommendations about medications, and referral to other health care providers was very important. At least 70% of participants (n = 57) thought that having one-on-one consultation sessions with pharmacists to improve communication and relationships with their pharmacists and to improve their medication use and overall health was very important. More than 50% of participants indicated that they would like to receive brochures or talk to their pharmacist to learn more about MTM services.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients have very limited knowledge of the core elements of an MTM service in the community pharmacy setting. Patients reported that pharmacist provision of MTM services was important, but they were concerned about privacy and pharmacists' time. Patients are also supportive of and believe that MTM services can improve communication and relationship with their pharmacist and improve medication use. Patients appear to prefer receiving brochures and talking to pharmacists to learn more about MTM services. This survey identified a key opportunity for pharmacists to inform patients about MTM services.
Truong
Hoai-An
HA
School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. htruong@rx.umaryland.edu
Layson-Wolf
Cherokee
C
de Bittner
Magaly Rodriguez
MR
Owen
James A
JA
Haupt
Sheri
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D003691:Delaware; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008396:Maryland; D054524:Medicare Part D / Q000458:organization & administration; D054539:Medication Therapy Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000458:organization & administration*; D018907:Privacy / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult