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Open AccessHighly AccessResearch article

Improving the physician-patient cardiovascular risk dialogue to improve statin adherence

Linda Casebeer* 1 email, Craig Huber* 2 email, Nancy Bennett* 3 email, Rachael Shillman* 1 email, Maziar Abdolrasulnia* 1 email, Gregory D Salinas* 1 email and Sijian Zhang* 4 email

1Outcomes, Inc., 107 Frankfurt Circle, Birmingham, AL, USA

2AstraZeneca, 1800 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE, USA

3Consultant, Outcomes, Inc., 107 Frankfurt Circle, Birmingham, AL, USA

4University of Alabama, Birmingham, 514 E Ryals Public Health Bldg, Birmingham, AL, USA

author email corresponding author email* Contributed equally

BMC Family Practice 2009, 10:48doi:10.1186/1471-2296-10-48

Published: 30 June 2009

Abstract

Background

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a patient education program developed to facilitate statin adherence.

Methods

A controlled trial was designed to test the effectiveness of a multifaceted patient education program to facilitate statin adherence. The program included a brief, in-office physician counseling kit followed by patient mailings. The primary end point was adherence to filling statin prescriptions during a 120-day period. Patients new to statins enrolled and completed a survey. Data from a national pharmacy claims database were used to track adherence.

Results

Patients new to statin therapy exposed to a patient counseling and education program achieved a 12.4 higher average number of statin prescription fill days and were 10% more likely to fill prescriptions for at least 120 days (p = .01).

Conclusion

Brief in-office counseling on cardiovascular risk followed by patient education mailings can be effective in increasing adherence. Physicians found a one-minute counseling tool and pocket guidelines useful in counseling patients.


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