Outcomes of the Project “Taking Medications Close to Your Home with Your Closed Pharmacists”: Khon Kaen Model

Abstract

Objective: To study the outcomes of the implementation of the Project “Taking Medications Close to Your Home with Your Closed Pharmacists”:  Khon Kaen Model (“the Project”) both quantitative and qualitative dimensions including reduction of patient congestion in hospital, waiting time and satisfaction among both  service providers and service recipients. Method: The study used mixed methodology of qualitative and quantitative methods to evaluate the Project which started on October 1, 2019 in collaboration with the National Health Security Office and the Ministry of Public Health. There were 50 pharmacies participating in the Project involving the Model 1 and Model 2 set by with the National Health Security Office. The Project provided a pharmacy service system near home for patients with chronic illnesses with stable symptoms, including diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Evaluation of the Project was conducted during October 2019-September 2020. Results: The reduced waiting time in hospital service was found on waiting time for medical card (reduced from 39 to 33 minutes) and waiting time for medication (reduced from 31.79 to 29.29 minutes). The number of patients receiving drugs at pharmacies near to them was 503 (14.57% of the target patient population). Pharmacists handled 54 drug related problems, of which 61.11% were medication non-compliance. Pharmacists handled 206 health behavior problems, 35.92 percent of which were dietary behavior problems. Patients were satisfied at the highest level with the reduction of waiting time from pharmacy department (4.90 ± 0.32 from a full score of 5), followed by pharmacists' service provision (4.88 ± 0.32). Community pharmacists were satisfied with service readiness of pharmacists (4.49 ± 0.58 out of a full score of 5), followed by overall satisfaction (4.32 ± 0.63). Conclusion: Implementation of the Project “Taking Medications Close to Your Home with Your Closed Pharmacists”: Khon Kaen Model reduced waiting times and patient congestion to a certain extent. Service providers and recipients were satisfied at the highest level. Pharmacists were able to handle drug related problems and inappropriate health behaviors. Therefore, increase of the number of patients in the Project and expansion to other patient groups are warrant.