Pharmacist-Implemented Self-Management Module in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract

Background: Self-management practices can contribute to the lives of patients with multiple sclerosis. The aim of this study is to improve patients' self-management abilities through a multidisciplinary developed module.

Methods: This prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted between January 2020 and November 2021 at a university hospital in Ankara, Turkiye. The self-management module was implemented by a clinical pharmacist with the aim of enhancing self-management capabilities through an educational approach, with a focus on medication adherence, management of drug-related problems, follow-ups and self-directed activities. The intervention group completed the self-management module, while the control group received usual outpatient care. To evaluate the impact of the module, the Multiple Sclerosis Self-Management Revised scale was administered to the patients. Interviews were conducted at 4-month intervals.

Results: Study (n = 102) and control group (n = 98) patients were followed up for 8 months, and the median duration of intervention was 11 minutes. The mean (± SD) self-management scores of the study group increased from 68.9 (± 9.3) to 79.0 (± 9.4) at the end of the interviews, and this increase was found to be significant compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The self-management module has been shown to improve self-management, medication adherence, perception of care and patient engagement in treatment (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: This single-center randomized controlled trial suggests that a pharmacist-implemented self-management module increased patient engagement and medication adherence. The self-management interventions could be tailored to groups that tend to have lower self-management abilities, such as older individuals, and those who have lower educational attainment, health engagement or medication adherence.