Text Box: BACKGROUND Adherence is defined as the extent to which a person’s behavior (taking of medications, diet, lifestyle changes) conforms to medical or health advice. Poorer health outcomes can result when patients do not adhere to recommended or prescribed interventions. Medication non-adherence is a major public health problem that has been called an “invisible epidemic.” Pharmacists can play in a pivotal role in optimizing adherence, however it can often be challenging for pharmacists to find ways to incorporate adherence screening and monitoring into their current organization structures. Seeking a way to creatively increase awareness, motivation, and education about adherence, a survey was administered during a continuing education program to members of Pakistani American Pharmaceutical Association (PAPA). The majority PAPA members are pharmacists from a variety of practice settings throughout the five boroughs of New York City. The results of the survey, will be presented during a subsequent continuing education program, are intended to provide the background for participants to collectively problem-solve about methods to improve medication adherence. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to determine what adherence programs and activities provided by pharmacists who are members of the PAPA. METHODS In May 2003, sixty pharmacists attending a continuing education program on Adherence were asked to complete a 15-question self-administered written survey prior to the lecture. RESULTS Forty-six of the 60 pharmacists (77%) completed the survey. Forty-four respondents (96%) were men and two respondents (4%) were women. Numbers of years as a practicing pharmacist and level of education are in Table 1. Figure 1 includes the distribution of pharmacists among various practice settings and Figure 2 describes the time available per eight-hour shift for adherence activities. Table 1. Years as pharmacist and level of education Text Box: Page #

PAPA GAZETTE

Editorial Advisory Board
Text Box: Contributed by Shuk Ling Wong Pharm.D Dr Wong is Clinical Educator for Pfizer Inc.

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