The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of the Karie Automated Medication delivery device in enhancing medication adherence among a group of elderly patients with mild to moderate cognitive decline.
Given the risks associated with poor adherence and the apparent contribution of good adherence to reducing hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits, interventions for promoting good adherence should be pursued. To this end, a number of devices have been developed to promote medication adherence, though with limited success due to reliability, cost, etc. The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of the Karie Automated Medication Delivery Device in enhancing medication adherence among a group of community-dwelling patients immediately following discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. This study will utilize a multi-site randomized controlled trial design. One week prior to discharge from inpatient rehab, consenting patients will be randomly assigned to receive medication self-management education only (SME) or medication self-management education + Karie (SME+K). Both sites (West Park Healthcare Centre, and CapitalCare) will recruit 150 participants for the study. At each site, 75 patients will be in the intervention group (SME + Karie) and 75 will be in the control group (SME only).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
For the duration of the study, participants will use the Karie device to promote medication adherence. The Karie device prompts users to take their medication in the right amount at the right time.
At discharge, participants will be provided with self-medication education.
Change in Medication Adherence
The Medication Adherence Questionnaire (MAQ) and medication 7 day recall will measure participants adherence to their medications over time.Both of these measures will be taken at the same time-points throughout the study.
Time frame: Baseline (Time 0 Months), 3-months post-baseline(Time 3 Months), 6 months post-baseline (Time 6 Months)
Beliefs about medication
The Beliefs About Medication questionnaire, assesses participants cognitive representations of medication.
Time frame: Baseline (Time 0M)
Change in Self-Medication Behaviours
The investigators will use the Self-Efficacy for Appropriate Medication Scale (SEAMS) to determine participants behaviours and attitudes about self-medication
Time frame: Baseline (Time 0M), 3-months post-baseline(Time 3M), 6 months post-baseline (Time 6M)
Change in Quality of Life
The investigators will use the EQ-5D to measure changes in quality of life throughout the study.
Time frame: Baseline (Time 0M), 3-months post-baseline(Time 3M), 6 months post-baseline (Time 6M)
Economic Analysis
To determine the affect that the Karie device has on economic indicators, the investigators will be observing staffing hours (OT, Pharmacist), medication costs, and medication wastage. This will be documented by staff and will be self-reported.
Time frame: 3 months post-baseline (Time 3M), 6 months post-baseline (Time 6M)
Change in Healthcare Consumption
To determine any changes in healthcare consumption, the investigators will be observing the number of hospitalizations, visits to the GP, and visits to ER for all causes in all of the participants.
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Time frame: Baseline (Time 0M), 3-months post-baseline(Time 3M), 6 months post-baseline (Time 6M)
Sociodemographic Factors
The investigators will be collecting sociodemographic factors such as: Age, Gender, Education, Income, Postal Code.
Time frame: Baseline (Time 0M)