Skip to main content

Table 1 Main characteristics of pharmacist home visit intervention trials

From: Effectiveness of pharmacist home visits for individuals at risk of medication-related problems: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Study ID

Country

Design (groups) and n (number randomised)

Population, i) Age (yrs) mean (SD); ii) Baseline prescribed medications mean (SD)

Home visit frequency (INT group only)

Components of home visit

Comparator

Primary Outcome

Begley 1995 [35] (and Begley 1997 [23])

UK

RCT (2 INT, 1 C) n = 222

Post-discharge (after emergency admission),

Age: INT 84(−); C 82(−)

Meds: INT 5 (2); C 5 (2)

Group 1: No counselling

Group 2: With counselling

5 visits (2w,1 m,3 m,1y)

Medication knowledge and compliance assessment (Group 1).

As above PLUS education on medication management and storage, and advice on improving compliance (Group 2).

Usual care

Medication management

Holland 2005 [24] (Holland 2006 [34], and Pacini 2007 [5])

UK

RCT (1 INT, 1 C) n = 822

The HOMER trial

Post-discharge (after emergency admission),

Age: INT 85.5 (4); C 85.5 (4)

Meds: INT 6 (3); 6 (2)

2 visits (within 2 weeks, 6-8 weeks)

Educate, remove out of date drugs, assessed adherence and advised on medication issues. Liaised with GP and local pharmacist where needed

Usual care

Emergency hospital admissions

Holland 2007 [25]

UK

RCT (1 INT, 1 C)

n = 339

Post-discharge (after HF admission)

Age: INT 77.6 (9); C 76.4 (9)

Meds: INT 8 (3); C 8 (2)

2 visits (within 2 weeks, 6–8 weeks)

Educate, remove out of drugs and lifestyle behaviours, and provided BHF leaflet.

Liaised with GP and local CP where needed

Usual care

Emergency hospital admissions

Jackson 2004 [28]

Australia

RCT (1 INT, 1 C)

n = 128

Post-discharge and initiated on warfarin

Age:*INT 70(−); *C 72.5(−)

Meds: INT 6(−); C 6(−)

4 visits (2, 4, 6 and 8 days)

Education and counselling related to warfarin with booklet and info sheet provided. Post visit communication with GP

Usual care

Reduction in bleeding complications

Lenaghan 2007 [33]

UK

RCT (1 INT, 1 C)

n = 136

The POLYMED trial

Community

Age: INT 84.1(−); C 84.5 (−)

Meds: INT 7(−); C 7(−)

2 visits (within 2 weeks, 6–8 weeks)

Medication review, educated the patient, removed out-of-date drugs, and assessed the need for an adherence aid. Post visit communications with GP

Usual care

Non elective hospital admissions

Naunton 2003 [32]

Australia

RCT: 1 INT, 1 C

n = 136

Post-discharge with ≥2 chronic diseases

Age: INT 74(−); C 74 (−)

Meds: INT > 5(−); C > 5(−)

2 visits (5 days, 3 months)

Medication review, optimise medication management, education and detect DRPs

Usual care

Unplanned hospital admissions at 90 days, & Death

Olesen 2014 [26]

Denmark

RCT: 1 INT, 1 C n = 630

Community

Age: *INT 74(−);*C 74(−);

Meds: INT 7(−); C 7(−)

1 visit followed up by telephone calls at 3, 6 and 9 months

Medication review, counselling on medication, motivated adherence, provided leaflets. Contact with GP if serious issue.

Usual care

Medication adherence (Pill count)

Peterson 2004 [29]

Australia

RCT (1 INT, 1 C) n = 94

Post-discharge (after CV-related admission) and initiated on statins

Age: INT 65.5 (11); C 63.5 (12)

Meds:*8(−); *8(−)

1 visit at 6 weeks, and monthly thereafter up to 6 months

Educated on the goals and proven benefits of lipid-lowering drug therapy, and appropriate lifestyle modifications. Assessed for DRPs and compliance checked

Usual care

Cholesterol levels

Sidel 1990 [22]

USA

RCT (1 INT, 1 C)

n = 284

Community at high risk of medication issues

Age: INT > 65(−); C > 65(−)

Meds: INT NR; C NR

2 visits over a 6–11 months with telephone follow-up as needed

Education on medication, remove out of date drugs, encourage communication with health providers if any issues arose.

Usual care

Medication management

Triller 2007 [30]

USA

RCT (1 INT, 1 C)

n = 144

Post-discharge (after HF admission)

Age: INT 81.3 (9); C 78.1 (11)

Meds: INT NR; C NR

3 visits over 3–4 weeks

Medication review, counselling on medication, healthy lifestyle advice.

Usual care

All cause hospital admissions, HF- related admissions

Tuttle 2018 [31]

USA

RCT (1 INT, 1C)

n = 159

Post-discharge (after CKD admission)

Age: INT 70 (12); C 69 (10)

Meds: ALL 13 (5)

1 visit within 7 days

Comprehensive medication review, medication action plan, and a personal medication list. Advice on proper medicine use and avoidance of contraindicated drugs.

Post visit contact with GP if needed

Usual care

Acute care utilisation (hospital admissions and ED/ urgent care centre visits

Vuong 2008 [27]

Australia

RCT (1 INT, 1 C)

n = 316

Post-discharge

Age: INT 74.4 (11); C 69.3 (12);

Meds: INT 11 (4); C 10 (4)

1 visit within 5 days

Medication reviews, education and information on medications, removal of our-of-date drugs.

Post visit contact with GP and CP if needed.

Usual care

Medication adherence

Medication knowledge

  1. Key:
  2. RCT Randomised controlled trial, INT Intervention, C Control, GP General Practitioner, CP Pharmacist, HF Heart failure, CV Cardiovascular, DRP Drug related problems, * medians; NR Not reported