Improving Medication Adherence and Health Care Outcomes in a Commercial Population through a Community Pharmacy.

The aim was to evaluate the impact of a multifaceted set of medication management interventions offered by a community pharmacy on adherence, health care utilization, and costs within a commercial population. Patients initiating therapy within 16 drug classes from February 7, 2013, to October 6, 2013, were offered various adherence interventions by Walgreens pharmacy. Patients were linked deterministically to IMS medical and prescription databases for 6-month pre- and post-index data analysis.

Impact of a physician-oriented intervention on follow-up in colorectal cancer screening.

Background: Complete diagnostic evaluation or CDE (i.e., colonoscopy or combined flexible sigmoidoscopy plus barium enema X-ray) is often not performed for persons with an abnormal screening fecal occult blood test (FOBT+) result.

Physician-reported reasons for limited follow-up of patients with a positive fecal occult blood test screening result.

Objective: Fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) screening can reduce colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality when patients with an abnormal result [FOBT(+)] undergo a complete diagnostic evaluation (colonoscopy or double-contrast barium enema with or without flexible sigmoidoscopy). The aim of this study was to determine common reasons for nonperformance of a complete diagnostic evaluation.

Methods: We identified 544 FOBT(+) patients, aged 50 yr or older, who had participated in a managed care organization-sponsored CRC screening program.

Physician and patient factors associated with ordering a colon evaluation after a positive fecal occult blood test.

Objective: Successful colorectal cancer screening relies in part on physicians ordering a complete diagnostic evaluation of the colon (CDE) with colonoscopy or barium enema plus sigmoidoscopy after a positive screening fecal occult blood test (FOBT).

Design: We surveyed primary care physicians about colorectal cancer screening practices, beliefs, and intentions. At least 1 physician responded in 318 of 413 (77%) primary care practices that were affiliated with a managed care organization offering a mailed FOBT program for patients aged >/=50 years.

Use of cholesterol-lowering therapy and related beliefs among middle-aged adults after myocardial infarction.

Objective: To assess use of cholesterol-lowering therapy and related beliefs among middle-aged adults after myocardial infarction.

Design: Telephone survey and administrative data.

Setting: National managed-care company.