Pillbox intervention fidelity in medication adherence research: A systematic review

Background Pillboxes are widely available, have evidence of effectiveness, but translating pillboxes in self-management interventions requires an understanding of intervention components. Purpose To review components of intervention design, interventionist training, delivery, receipt, enactment, and targeted behaviors in adherence studies. Methods Five multidisciplinary databases were searched to find reports of controlled trials testing pillboxes and medication adherence interventions in adults managing medications. Details of treatment fidelity, that is, design, training, delivery, receipt, and enactment, were abstracted. Findings A total of 38 articles reporting 40 studies were included. Treatment fidelity descriptions were often lacking, especially reporting receipt and enactment, important for both control and intervention groups. Clearly reported details are needed to avoid making assumptions when translating evidence. Conclusion These findings serve as a call to action to explicitly state intervention details. Lack of reported intervention detail is a barrier to translating which components of pillboxes work in influencing medication adherence behaviors and outcomes

Patient Perceptions of Provider and Hospital Factors Associated With New Medication Communication

This research examined provider and hospital factors associated with patients’ perceptions of how often explanations of new medications were “always” given to them, using Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) scores. HCAHPS results were obtained for October 2012 to September 2013, from 3,420 hospitals and combined with a Magnet-designated hospital listing. Multiple regression examined correlates of new medication communication, including health care provider factors (perceptions of nurse and physician communication) and health care system factors (magnet designation, hospital ownership, hospital type, availability of emergency services, and survey numbers). Nurse and physician communication was strongly associated with new medication communication (r = .819, p < .001; r = .722, p < .001, respectively). Multivariable correlates included nurse communication (p < .001), physician communication (p < .001), hospital ownership, availability of emergency services, and survey numbers. There was a significant relationship between patients’ perceptions of nurse and physician communication and the explanations they had received about their new medications during hospitalization