Medication beliefs and self-reported adherence–results of a pharmacist's consultation: a pilot study

Objectives Clinical outcomes in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease depend on the patients’ adherence to prescribed medicines. Motivational interviewing (MI) is a patient-centred approach used to change different health behaviours. The objective of this pilot study was to explore the impact of a clinical pharmacist9s consultation on beliefs about medicines and self-reported medication adherence among patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods CHD-patients participating in a prevention programme at the Kalmar County Hospital were randomised to control or intervention. The intervention consisted of a medication review focused on cardiovascular drugs, and a semistructured interview based on MI-approach, with a follow-up phone call 2 weeks later. The intervention was conducted by a clinical pharmacist at the cardiology unit 3 months postdischarge. Primary outcome measures were the results from the Beliefs about Medicines-Specific (BMQ-S) and the 8-Item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) 2 weeks after intervention. Results 21 enrolled patients (11 intervention) all completed to follow-up. MMAS-8 was very similar in the intervention and control groups. In BMQ-S the intervention group had a mean (SD) necessity score of 21 (4) and a concern score of 12 (6), corresponding results in the control group were 21 (3) and 10 (5). However, since there was a difference in BMQ-S at baseline, seven intervention patients shifted towards more positive beliefs compared with two control patients. Conclusions No difference was found in adherence and beliefs at follow-up. However, after consultation, a larger proportion of patients changed towards more positive beliefs compared with control.