Impact of a centers for medicare and medicaid services star ratings measures training module on community pharmacists' knowledge and attitudes

Abstract

Objective: The objectives of this project are to: (1) develop a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) star ratings training module for community pharmacists and (2) assess the training module's impact on pharmacists' star ratings knowledge and attitudes toward actively participating in CMS star ratings measures for their pharmacies. Method(s): Medication nonadherence and ignorance regarding medication use have become a major concern for health care providers and patients in the United States, with an increase in the health care spend of $32 billion in rehospitalizations. Health care models are being evolved from fee-for-service to pay-forperformance models. Medicare health plans are being graded with CMS star ratings to help consumers identify the best plans for them. To improve medication management and the use of medications across health care settings, health plans promote community pharmacies to provide services in star ratings for their members. These star ratings target medication safety and adherence services provided by pharmacies. This study serves to prepare community pharmacists to provide services covered under CMS star ratings. The study sample will consist of pharmacists employed by a supermarket pharmacy chain. Volunteer participating pharmacists will attend an approximately 1-hour CMS star ratings educational session. Participants will complete a survey immediately prior to and following the educational session, in addition to a course evaluation. The survey will be used to assess the impact of the educational session on the pharmacists' ability to provide in the services to enhance future star ratings measures. The attitude assessment will consist of a 5-point Likert scale format with the knowledge-based assessment composed of true/false and multiple-choice questions. SPSS version 21.0 will be used to generate descriptive and nonparametric statistical analyses.