Pharmacist Intervention in Risk Reduction Study in High-Risk Cardiac Patients: The Effect of 2 Methods of Pharmacist Training

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effect of intensive vs conventional training on pharmacist-suggested implementation of cardiac risk reduction efforts in community practice. Methods: Sixty-one volunteer pharmacists from 40 pharmacies were randomized to 1 of 2 educational groups: intensive or conventional training in cardiac risk reduction. With training complete, pharmacists identified and approached patients at high risk for coronary artery disease (CAD) at their practice sites to participate in the program. After a patient interview, pharmacists documented the relevant CAD risk factors and medication history, and then faxed this information, along with risk reduction recommendations, to the primary care physician. Patients were then encouraged to book a medical appointment for further assessment and treatment, if warranted. Follow-up occurred at 4, 16, and 24 weeks to determine if any pharmacist-suggested risk reduction measures had been implemented. Pharmacists were reimbursed $30 per patient accrued. Results: A total of 217 patients were enrolled in the study, and of those, 216 had follow-up data available for analysis. No significant differences were observed between the groups with respect to mean number of patients enrolled per pharmacist (4.3 vs 2.7) and the proportion of pharmacists completing at least 1 patient (17/27 vs 14/34). Feedback from pharmacists on program delivery indicated no significant difference in satisfaction with the training provided. The recommendations forwarded by pharmacists of the intensive group (35.8%) received greater acceptance by physicians than those in the conventional group (23.8%). Conclusion: Although results are preliminary, intensive training for pharmacists was more likely to result in improvements in cardiovascular risk reduction therapy than when conventional training was used.