Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: A significant proportion of healthcare costs are associated with chronic diseases in the United States, contributing to 90% of the nation’s annual $4.1 trillion healthcare expenditure. Non-adherence to medication regimens exacerbates these costs, resulting in approximately $100 billion annually in avoidable expenses, including hospitalizations and emergency room visits. Medication therapy management (MTM), implemented under Medicare Part D, is a pharmacist-led intervention designed to optimize therapeutic outcomes and reduce healthcare expenditures. However, utilization of MTM services remains low, barriers include limited patient awareness and engagement. This study explored patient engagement in MTM services while examining their awareness and perceptions of the effectiveness of pharmacist-led interventions in addressing chronic disease management.
METHODS: A cross-sectional survey design was employed, targeting U.S. adults aged 50 and above who reported having chronic conditions (e.g., hypertension). Participants were surveyed via an online Qualtrics panel regarding their awareness, perceptions, and utilization of MTM services. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic and medication-related characteristics, while a Fisher’s exact test evaluated the associations between demographic factors and MTM utilization.
RESULTS: Total participants were 350. Awareness of MTM services was reported by only 21.7% of participants, despite 62.6% managing hypertension and 26.9% managing diabetes. Only 14.3% utilized MTM services, with preferences for in-person engagement (50.3%). Pharmacists were rated moderately effective in providing medication education mean SD = 3.6 (0.9), but trust in pharmacists’ ability to collaborate with physicians was 3.96 (0.86). Email was the preferred contact method reported by respondents (37.4%). Respondents also trusted pharmacists' ability to manage medication regimens effectively, with a mean = 3.84 (0.86).
CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights critical gaps in MTM service awareness and utilization among older adults with chronic conditions. Addressing these gaps through targeted educational initiatives and demographic-specific outreach strategies could enhance engagement, optimize therapeutic outcomes, and reduce healthcare costs.