Pharmacist-led heart failure patient focus group using mobile apps-based intervention mix

Abstract

Abstract Objectives The impact of clinical pharmacists on inpatient heart failure (HF) care has been proven in many studies. Evidence regarding the use of mobile apps by pharmacists to achieve positive clinical outcomes in HF is limited. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of a pharmacist-led HF patient focus group using mobile apps-based intervention mix. Methods In this pre–post-exploratory study, using an intervention mix of hospital discharge counselling, MyTherapy app, WhatsApp and occasional phone calls to improve clinical outcomes in HF. Patient medication adherence, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and 30-day all-cause hospital readmission rate were assessed. The Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test was used to find statistical significance of improvements in medication adherence and HRQoL using SPSS software version 26. Key findings The intervention mix of initial hospital-discharge counselling, MyTherapy app, follow-up with the WhatsApp group and occasional phone calls established an effective communication with patients. All 10 patients had improvements in their clinical outcomes. Significant improvements in medication adherence and HRQoL were found (Z-value −2.810 and Z-value −2.805, respectively; 95% confidence interval). No patients were readmitted in 30 days or within 3 months of study. Conclusions A pharmacist-led HF patient focus group using mobile apps-based intervention mix was found to be effective in improving clinical outcomes in HF patients. Further research should be performed on long-term effects of our approach.