Patient and phaRmacist telephonic encounters (PARTE) in an underserved rural patient population with asthma: results of a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary impact of a telepharmacy intervention in an underserved, rural asthma patient population.


METHODS
Patients with asthma were randomized to receive either standard care or telephone consultations from pharmacists regarding asthma self-management over a 3-month period. Qualitative interviews were conducted to identify participants' attitudes/opinions regarding the intervention. Baseline and follow-up surveys assessed asthma control, patient activation, and medication utilization.


RESULTS
Ninety-eight adults were recruited (78% accrual); 83 completed the study (15% dropout). Participants reported positive opinions and believed the intervention improved their asthma self-management. The intervention group had significantly higher patient activation compared with the control (p<0.05). There were no significant between-group differences regarding asthma control. However, within-group analyses of the intervention group showed an improvement in asthma control (p<0.01) and medication adherence (p<0.01). No within-group differences were found for the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
This telepharmacy intervention is feasible and showed indicators of effectiveness, suggesting the design is well suited for a robust study to evaluate its impact in uncontrolled asthma patients. Pharmacists helping patients manage asthma through telecommunications may resolve access barriers and improve care.
Social and Administrative Sciences Division, Sonderegger Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA. hnyoung@pharmacy.wisc.edu
Henry N
HN
Young
S Nadra
SN
Havican
Sara
S
Griesbach
Joshua M
JM
Thorpe
Betty A
BA
Chewning
Christine A
CA
Sorkness
D000328:Adult; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D005791:Patient Care / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012648:Self Care / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013689:Telephone; D014922:Wisconsin
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents