| Title | Perceptions of Medicare Part D enrollees about pharmacists and their role as providers of medication therapy management. | | Author(s) | Law AV, Okamoto MP, Brock K | | Institution | Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA. alaw@westernu.edu | | Source | J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) 2008 Sep-Oct; 48(5):648-53. | | Abstract | OBJECTIVE: To explore the awareness of Medicare Part D enrollees regarding medication therapy management (MTM) and to examine their expectations and perceptions of pharmacists in providing MTM.
METHODS: The Internet-based survey consisted of questions on respondent demographics, prescription-related behavior, awareness of MTM, and expectation and perception of pharmacists in usual roles and as MTM providers. Four open-ended questions examined expectations, trust, source of MTM information, and perceived benefit from MTM.
RESULTS: The sample of 504 Medicare Part D enrollees from California (mean age 72 years) used an average of 4.3 prescriptions per day. Awareness of MTM was low in this cohort (93% unaware). Trust in the pharmacist was centered on dispensing prescriptions. Expectation of pharmacists also revolved around product (>60%). Approximately 70% of respondents did not believe they needed MTM; however, 58% believed pharmacists were good candidates to provide MTM. Willingness to pay for MTM services was also low (31%).
CONCLUSION: Medicare Part D enrollees' expectation and perception of pharmacists revolves around the dispensing function. The public, payers, and policy makers need to be educated to recognize and use pharmacists as cost-effective providers of MTM. | | Language | eng | | Pub Type(s) | Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
| | PubMed ID | 18826904 |
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