Impact of health literacy-conscious medication educational videos on primary medication nonadherence rates

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Primary medication nonadherence (PMN) occurs when a new medication is prescribed, but the patient does not obtain the medication, or an appropriate alternative. Medication knowledge may be a factor contributing to high PMN rates. A variety of approaches and technologies have been developed to enhance patient medication knowledge, though the impact of these interventions on PMN rates has not been studied.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to: 1) compare community pharmacy PMN rates between pharmacies that offer patient medication educational video services and those that do not, and 2) assess the relationships between video service delivery and PMN status.

METHODS: This cohort study utilized data from six pharmacies (three case, three control). Adult individuals with a new electronic prescription for medications were assessed for PMN using the Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA) measure specifications. A 6-month measurement period was used to assess if medications or an appropriate alternative were dispensed within 30 days. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate differences in PMN rates between case and control pharmacies. The relationships between medication education video service use and PMN status were assessed using multivariable logistic regression models.

RESULTS: A total of 4038 patients were included in the analyses, contributing 6311 prescriptions for PMN assessment. Case pharmacies had significantly lower (25.9% versus 29.1%) PMN rates than control pharmacies (p=0.0090). Prescriptions filled at pharmacies that utilized medication educational videos had lower odds of PMN status [OR = 0.58 (0.43, 0.78)] than controls. Video use was associated with lower odds of PMN status [OR = 0.83 (0.70, 0.98)] when compared to prescriptions where patients did not receive the service.

CONCLUSIONS: The use of health literacy-conscious, patient educational videos were associated with improved (lower) PMN rates. Medication education technologies represent a scalable solution to improve PMN and medication access.