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Adherence and Intensification of Medications (AIM) Implementation Study

US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) logo

US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

Status

Completed

Conditions

Hypertension
Diabetes

Treatments

Behavioral: Clinical pharmacist-based intervention

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other
Other U.S. Federal agency
NIH

Identifiers

NCT00495794
SDP 06-128
R18DK076622-01 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Details and patient eligibility

About

Background: Good blood pressure (BP) control among patients with diabetes is essential in preventing diabetes complications and has been found to be not only cost-effective but cost-saving. Nonetheless, over 25% of VA patients with diabetes do not have adequate BP control. Among these poorly controlled patients, over 65% have problems with medication adherence or inadequate intensification of medications. We therefore propose a partnership with the VA Pharmacy Benefits Management (PBM) Office and VISN 11 to evaluate a tailored clinical pharmacist-based intervention to improve medication management, adherence and BP control.

Objectives: The specific objectives of this implementation study are: 1) To evaluate the effects of the intervention on blood pressure (primary outcome) and glycemic and lipid control (secondary outcomes); 2) To assess the impact of the intervention on patients' adherence to blood pressure, anti-hyperglycemic, and lipid-lowering regimens, and intensity of these regimens; 3) To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the intervention compared to usual care; 4) To evaluate the level of attainment of intervention implementation, examine the process of intervention implementation, and determine the potential for sustainability.

Full description

Background: Good blood pressure (BP) control among patients with diabetes is essential in preventing diabetes complications and has been found to be not only cost-effective but cost-saving. Nonetheless, over 25% of VA patients with diabetes do not have adequate BP control. Among these poorly controlled patients, over 65% have problems with medication adherence or inadequate intensification of medications. We therefore propose a partnership with the VA Pharmacy Benefits Management (PBM) Office and VISN 11 to evaluate a tailored clinical pharmacist-based intervention to improve medication management, adherence and BP control.

Objectives: The specific objectives of this implementation study are: 1) To evaluate the effects of the intervention on blood pressure (primary outcome) and glycemic and lipid control (secondary outcomes); 2) To assess the impact of the intervention on patients' adherence to blood pressure, anti-hyperglycemic, and lipid-lowering regimens, and intensity of these regimens; 3) To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the intervention compared to usual care; 4) To evaluate the level of attainment of intervention implementation, examine the process of intervention implementation, and determine the potential for sustainability.

Methods: In this cluster randomized implementation trial, we will proactively identify, using clinical automated data, all diabetes patients within 3 VA sites who have poor blood pressure control and either poor refill adherence or insufficient medication intensification. (NIDDK R18 funds 2 non-VA sites.) Adherence and treatment intensification patterns will also be evaluated for glycemia and lipids if either of these risk factors is poorly controlled. Clinical pharmacists, trained in motivational interviewing techniques and guided by computerized adherence modules, will identify barriers to medication adherence and provide adherence counseling. They will also be authorized to change and titrate medications following site-specific algorithms. Patients in the non-intervention (control) teams will receive usual care. Blood pressure control and refill adherence will be assessed 6-months after the end of the intervention period. We will also conduct a formative evaluation during the course of the study and assess implementation attainment and potential for dissemination.

Status: Data analysis complete. (Enrollment numbers are for VA and non-VA sites [control and intervention].)

Enrollment

4,622 patients

Sex

All

Ages

18+ years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

VA inclusion criteria

  1. Must be a veteran at a study site;
  2. Have a diagnosis of diabetes;
  3. Meet blood pressure, medication adherence and intensification requirements (as determined by the study team)

Exclusion criteria

VA Exclusion

  1. Dementia
  2. Traumatic brain injury
  3. Pregnancy
  4. Age <18 or >100

Trial design

Primary purpose

Treatment

Allocation

Randomized

Interventional model

Parallel Assignment

Masking

None (Open label)

4,622 participants in 2 patient groups

Pharmacist management
Experimental group
Description:
Eligible patients assigned to - adherence counseling and medication management delivered by a clinical pharmacist trained in behavioral counseling approaches (motivational interviewing)
Treatment:
Behavioral: Clinical pharmacist-based intervention
Usual care
No Intervention group
Description:
Eligible patients receive usual care

Trial contacts and locations

1

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Data sourced from clinicaltrials.gov

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