title: Use of pharmacists or pharmacies as Medicare Part D information sources.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize beneficiaries who used a pharmacy or pharmacist as a Medicare Part D information source.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional descriptive study involved 4,724 Medicare Part D beneficiaries who graduated from Wisconsin high schools in 1957. The main outcome measure was beneficiary self-reported use of a pharmacy or pharmacist as a Medicare Part D information source.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only 13% of the total sample and 15% of those with three or more medications used a pharmacy or pharmacist for Medicare Part D information. Adjusted logistic regression revealed that beneficiaries living in rural communities, compared with metropolitan areas, and with higher out-of-pocket prescription costs were more likely to use a pharmacy or pharmacist for Medicare Part D information. Beneficiaries with lower educational attainment were less likely to use a pharmacy or pharmacist for Medicare Part D information.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pharmacists have the knowledge and are in the position in the community to effectively educate beneficiaries about the Medicare Part D program. However, this study suggests that few beneficiaries are using pharmacists or pharmacies for Medicare Part D information.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Division of Social and Administrative Sciences, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 53705-2222, USA. kennelty@wisc.edu
authors.forename: Korey A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Kennelty
authors.forename: Joshua M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Thorpe
authors.forename: Betty
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chewning
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Mott
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D054524:Medicare Part D; D008875:Middle Aged; D063046:Patient Medication Knowledge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010594:Pharmacies; D010595:Pharmacists; D014481:United States