Pilot of a pharmacist-delivered habit-based intervention to support medication adherence in primary care

Abstract

Purpose Informed by the Extended Common Sense Model, this study aimed to pilot a pharmacist-led intervention to promote medication adherence through habit formation compared to standard education. Procedures Patients new to medication were recruited in two phases. During Phase 1, the pharmacist provided standard education (control). In Phase 2, the pharmacist added a habit-formation component by completing a habit worksheet with patients. Surveys measuring medication beliefs, habit strength, and adherence were completed at baseline and 100 days later. Cues from the habit worksheets were coded and analyzed. Findings The habit intervention group (N = 17) showed no significant difference from the control group (N = 16) in medication-taking habit strength (p = 0.37) or self-reported adherence (MARS-5) (p = 0.47) at follow-up. Habit strength was the only significant predictor of adherence (MARS-5)(p = 0.02), while necessity beliefs predicted missed doses (p = 0.03). Conclusion High levels of habit strength and adherence may result from high baseline adherence levels. Further research should target patients with known non-adherence or without established medication routines. Clinical trial # NCT06230978.