title: Self-assessment tool for screening patients at risk for drug therapy problems.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the development, use, and evaluation of a patient self-assessment tool for screening patients at risk for drug therapy problems (DTPs) and potentially interested in receiving a personal consultation with a pharmacist.
  
  
  METHODS
  Quasi-experimental, nonrandomized, controlled study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Area Agency on Aging-affiliated senior centers in Florida from April 2005 to December 2005.
  
  
  METHODS
  175 clients of an Area Agency on Aging.
  
  
  METHODS
  While attending a free seminar on obtaining the best value from their medications, participants completed a 12-item self-assessment tool. The tool was designed to (1) identify participants who were at risk for a DTP and (2) motivate those at risk to participate in a personal pharmacotherapy consultation with a pharmacist on a fee-for-service basis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Relationship between total score on self-assessment tool and patient acceptance of offer of personal pharmacotherapy consultation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 175 participants who attended a free seminar, 69 (39.4%) accepted the offer of a personal pharmacotherapy consultation. The median score on the self-assessment tool in these participants was significantly higher compared with participants who declined a consultation (3 vs. 1, P = 0.0489). The number of DTPs eventually identified during the personal pharmacotherapy consultation was significantly and positively correlated with the total score on the self-assessment tool (ρ = 0.3259, P = 0.0110).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The self-assessment tool appeared to be of use in predicting individuals who were likely to accept the offer of a personal consultation. Higher scores on the self-assessment tool may also predict patients who are likely to have a higher number of DTPs.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Drake University, 2507 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50311, USA. john.rovers@drake.edu
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rovers
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hagel
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D018570:Risk Assessment