Use of a Medication Questionnaire to Identify Lung Transplant Recipients Benefiting from Pharmacist Prioritization in Clinic.

Transplant pharmacist (TXP PharmD) presence in the clinic can improve patient medication knowledge retention, minimize adverse effects, decrease the need for hospital readmission, and ultimately improve outcomes. However, TXP PharmD to patient ratio in high volume clinics can range from 1 PharmD: 15-30 patients/day. Identification of patients most likely to benefit from seeing a TXP PharmD in clinic can aid in prospective interventions. Beginning in 2018, questionnaires assessing medication knowledge retention were distributed to all lung transplant recipients (LTRs) during their clinic appointments. Within 1y post-transplant, all LTRs follow-up in clinic at months 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, and 12. Questionnaires completed within 1y post-lung transplant (LT) were collated and responses graded. Variables associated with a greater total number of incorrect responses were analyzed including patient characteristics, index LT admission data, and time post-LT. Between 2018-2020, 404 medication questionnaires were completed within 1y post-LT. 152 LTRs completed 1 questionnaire and 113 LTRs completed ≥2. Medication retention was lowest (i.e. greatest total number of incorrect responses) at 11 months post-LT (p=0.048). Multivariable analysis of all 152 LTRs identified time post-LT, increasing age (p=0.047), and Black race (p=0.02) as associated with lower medication retention. In the 113 LTRs who completed ≥2 questionnaires, Black race (p=0.02) and location other than home pre-LT (rehab/skilled nursing facility/long-term acute care/inpatient, p=0.04) were associated with lower retention. Pairing prospective identification of LTRs at risk for lower medication knowledge retention with assessment of patient-specific courses may allow TXP PharmDs to improve efficiency in a high volume lung clinic. Future studies should focus on the most useful types of interventions to help improve deficits in medication knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]