Evaluation of software-based telephone counseling to enhance medication persistency among patients with multiple sclerosis.
Berger, B. A., Liang, H., & Hudmon, K. S. (2005). Evaluation of software-based telephone counseling to enhance medication persistency among patients with multiple sclerosis. Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, 45(4), 466–472.
To evaluate the effect of a software-supported intervention based on the Transtheoretical Model of Change and motivational interviewing on decreasing discontinuation (or increasing persistency) of Avonex(interferon beta-1a—Biogen), a medication for treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). Patients in the software intervention group demonstrated a statistically significantly lower proportion of Avonex treatment (1.2%) discontinuation than the standard care group (8.7%). In addition, stage movement away from discontinuation of Avonex (i.e., toward continuation of therapy) was significantly higher in the treatment group. The Transtheoretical Model of Change constructs and motivational interviewing processes were effectively incorporated into a software-based intervention program, and this significantly decreased the proportion of patients who discontinued treatment of MS with Avonex. The integration of behavioral theory with information systems offers a promising approach for pharmacists and other providers to promote medication persistency.
