Impact of Virtual Patient Education on Medication Adherence Among Geriatric Patients

Abstract

Context: Virtual patient education for medication adherence can improve the health outcomes and reduce the hospital readmission. Aim: The study aim was to assess the impact of virtual patient education on medication adherence. Materials and methods: A longitudinal interventional study was conducted in tertiary care hospital over a period of 6 months to assess the medication adherence amongst elderly using the medication adherence rating scale questionnaire. The impact of pharmacist-assisted patient counseling on medication adherence was assessed by reassessing the medication adherence with medication adherence rating scale questionnaire after educational intervention performed at selected time-intervals. Data thus collected were statistically analyzed using descriptive analysis and presented in n (%) format. Results: Total of 401 patients were enrolled in the study, of which, majority [220 (54.86%)] were adherent to their medications. Virtual patient counseling showed a positive impact in increasing medication adherence [113 (28.1%) vs 177 (46.4%)]. At the end of the 2nd follow up in the test group the good adherence had increased up to 18.23% while in the control group there was only 3.48% increase in good adherence. Conclusions: This study reveals with the implementation of patient education and medication counseling, the patient's adherence to medication can be improved. Clinical pharmacists can play an important role in improving medication adherence especially in geriatric patients.