This study's overall goal is to enhance older adults' communication skills to access medication information and services to manage their medications safely and effectively. Med Wise Rx is an online 2-session program to improve communication skills for accessing medication information and services, leading to improved medication management. 160 adults age 65 years or older taking 4 or more medications will be on study for up to 9 months.
This study's overall goal is to enhance older adults' communication skills to access medication information and services to manage their medications safely and effectively. Older adults are 2-3 times more likely to experience adverse drug events (ADEs) which are linked to falls, morbidity, hospitalization, loss of independence and death. More complicated regimens, poor adherence and poor communication contribute to this greater risk. The Med Wise Rx Program is an evidence-informed two-session interactive behavioral workshop that has been delivered in partnership with Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) who informed the program design. This program was evaluated with 198 older adults in 8 Wisconsin counties and found a significant increase in participants' reported self-efficacy, communication skills and requests for medication checkups or comprehensive medication reviews (CMRs). There is a need for updating the Med Wise Rx program for dissemination virtually and to systematically examine the new design's effectiveness and implementation in organizations serving older adults. The study team will conduct a Type 2 hybrid effectiveness-implementation study of Med Wise Rx delivered through a new technology-supported mode of education. A randomized patient to group treatment trial with a waitlist control group for older adults and/or caregivers aged 65 or older will be used. A mixed-methods approach will be used, incorporating surveys, observational data collection, and interviews. The RE-AIM Framework will guide and inform the processes. In collaboration with the Community Academic Aging Research Network (CAARN) and five community partners associated with 7 counties, this dissemination and implementation study will: * AIM 1. Refine strategies to disseminate and implement the Med Wise Rx communication program through enhanced digital delivery methods. * AIM 2. Develop a facilitator training program that maximizes Med Wise Rx delivery fidelity in its new format. * AIM 3. Evaluate the reach, effectiveness, adoption/ acceptability, implementation/ enactment, and maintenance of the Med Wise Rx program delivery by Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) and participants at 8 weeks and 6 months post-delivery. Protocol Amendment 1/31/24 to remove 6-month follow up time point for cohorts enrolled this spring.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
121
The program consists of two 120-minute classes led by trained community site-based facilitators, designed to help older adults communicate more effectively with their pharmacists.
ADRC of Eau Claire County
Eau Claire, Wisconsin, United States
Village of Greendale Public Health
Greendale, Wisconsin, United States
Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Kenosha County
Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States
ADRC of Calumet, Outagamie & Waupaca County
Waupaca, Wisconsin, United States
Change in Number of Participant Reported CMRs
Specific questions included on survey tool will identify whether participant's report receiving a CMR, verifying (via protocol) Hometown Pharmacy CMRs reported.
Time frame: 8 weeks post-intervention (up to 12 weeks on study), 6 months post-intervention (up to 9 months on study for cohorts enrolled prior to Spring 2024)
Change in Communication Confidence measured by validated Participant Survey
The participant survey has 24 items and follows Bandura's self-efficacy theory and 0-10 scale. Total score (0-240) and individual items using repeated measures ANOVA will be used (survey administered at all 3 time points). Higher scores indicate increased communication confidence.
Time frame: baseline, 8 weeks post-intervention (up to 12 weeks on study), 6 months post-intervention (up to 9 months on study for cohorts enrolled prior to Spring 2024)
Change in Worries as measured by Participant Survey
The survey has 7-items scored on a 0-3 scale Total score of 0-21 with higher scores indicating increased worries.
Time frame: baseline, 8 weeks post-intervention (up to 12 weeks on study), 6 months post-intervention (up to 9 months on study for cohorts enrolled prior to Spring 2024)
Change in Knowledge about what a pharmacist can do to help as measured by Participant Survey
Participant Survey has 6 items, scored yes, no, and unsure. A change in participant response for each item will be reported.
Time frame: baseline, 8 weeks post-intervention (up to 12 weeks on study)
Change in Number of Services Requested
In addition to the participant CMR request, this measure captures the number of other reasons the participants have visited the pharmacist for.
Time frame: baseline, 8 weeks post-intervention (up to 12 weeks on study), 6 months post-intervention (up to 9 months on study for cohorts enrolled prior to Spring 2024)
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Number of Changes in Medication List or Schedule
Changes in a medication list or schedule (i.e. time of day) that can improve medication safety and efficacy for older adults will be tallied.
Time frame: baseline, 8 weeks post-intervention (up to 12 weeks on study), 6 months post-intervention (up to 9 months on study for cohorts enrolled prior to Spring 2024)