Impact of the RxVaccinate program for pharmacy-based pneumococcal immunization: A cluster-randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of the RxVaccinate program on the structure, process, and outcome measures and to assess team leaders' perceptions of the program.

Design: Cluster-randomized experimental design.

Setting: Community pharmacies.

Participants: Community pharmacists.

Interventions: The RxVaccinate program consisted of (a) two self-directed training webinars and practice development and implementation tools and (b) expert and peer coaching sessions through an in-person 4-hour workshop and optional e-community and monthly teleconferences. One group received only the self-directed training (self-directed learning group), and the other group received both self-directed training and coaching sessions (coaching group).

Main Outcome Measures: Both groups provided data on (a) completion of structure and process indicators at 3, 6, and 9 months after the in-person workshop, (b) number of pneumococcal vaccinations administered in pharmacy during the 12-month period preceding and following the in-person coaching workshop, and (c) team leaders' perceptions of the RxVaccinate program.

Results: Greater proportions of pharmacies in the coaching group completed structure and process indicators than pharmacies in the self-directed learning group. Both groups showed an increase in the number of pneumococcal vaccinations administered (P < 0.001). The increase was significantly greater among pharmacies in the coaching group than among pharmacies in the self-directed training (P = 0.032). Team leaders in both groups were generally satisfied with the RxVaccinate program.

Conclusion: Although significant increases in the number of pharmacist-administered pneumococcal vaccinations were observed in both groups, the increase was greater in the group receiving both self-directed training and expert and peer coaching than the group without the coaching strategy. This could be because pharmacies in the coaching group were more likely to complete structure and process indicators than their counterparts. Future studies should examine key structure and process indicators affecting the success of pneumococcal vaccinations.