The influence of a medication counseling program for hypertensive soldiers at the Army General Hospital: A pilot study

Abstract

Background: The incidence of hypertension and its complications continue to increase in the Philippine Army due to non-adherence resulting in poor health outcomes.

Objective: This study implemented a Medication Counseling Program (MCP) for hypertensive soldiers, and assessed the effects of the program on knowledge of disease and treatment (Knowledge), attitude towards medication (Attitude), adherence to treatment (Adherence), and blood pressure (BP). It identified and categorized pharmacist interventions applied during the counseling sessions. The perceptions of patients and physicians on pharmacist's clinical roles were also determined.

Methodology: The program was implemented from March to October 2015 in a government hospital for the Philippine Army. Knowledge, attitude, adherence, and BP (converted as mean arterial pressure or MAP) were measured at baseline, 30, 60, and 90th day after initial counseling. Data for pharmacist interventions were collected from patient's documentary form. The interview was conducted to patients after their 90-day counseling period and physicians after the 8-month duration of the program.

Results: A total of 20 patients were enrolled in the program, but only 13 patients completed the study. Of the 62 counseling sessions conducted by the pharmacist for the 8-month period, a total of 252 pharmacist interventions were administered. Knowledge, attitude, adherence, and MAP scores improved, and 100 % of the patients achieved normal/controlled BP after the 90-day counseling period.

Conclusion: A pharmacist MCP intervention may improve a patient's knowledge, attitude, adherence, and BP. The program enabled the pharmacist to apply pharmacist interventions to identified drug-therapy problems of the patients and resolved these through collaboration with the physicians and cooperation of the patients.