External funding from SinfonîaRx was used to help conduct this project. Boesen is employed by SinfonîaRx. At the time this project was conducted, Martin was employed at the University of Arizona Medication Management Center but is now employed by SinfonîaRx. The other authors have no disclosures to report. This original research was presented as a poster at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy Nexus 2015; October 26-29, 2015; in Orlando, FL.

Up to 50 % of patients with chronic diseases do not take their medication regularly. Poor adherence to drug therapy is associated with higher morbidity and mortality. A selective literature search using the terms adherence, compliance, concordance, persistence, medication management, and pharmaceutical care was performed. Evidence for improving adherence has been provided for the following principles: individual counselling of patients and care givers, medication management including simplifying dosing and use of combination tablets as well as the use of individual unit doses, e. g. blister cards. The effectiveness has only been shown for the duration of the interventions. The improvement of medication adherence represents an area of research with high impact on outcomes and cost. Measures to improve adherence may be as important as the development of novel therapies. However, prospective clinical evaluations with clinical endpoints are missing especially for the German health care system in order to develop recommendations for clinical practice. Joint efforts of physicians and pharmacists are needed.

Objective. To measure the impact of an interprofessional experience (IPE) in medication therapy management (MTM) on students' attitudes and skills regarding interprofessional collaboration (IPC). Methods. This interprofessional MTM experience spanned three weeks, with health science students (medicine, nursing, nutrition, and pharmacy) meeting once weekly. The IPE facilitated interprofessional student collaboration via small-group sessions to conduct MTM consultations for patients with complex chronic conditions. Student learning and attitudinal changes were evaluated by comparing pre-and post-IPE survey responses and a qualitative summary of the students' clinical recommendations. Efficacy of student groups was measured via patient satisfaction surveys and was reported by frequency of response. Results. Twenty-seven students participated in the program and 22 completed both pre-and post-IPE surveys (81% response rate). The survey included open-ended and Likert-type items assessing students' attitudes and skills regarding the IPE as well as their reactions to the experience. Significant changes were observed for two attitudinal items regarding interprofessional teams: maintaining enthusiasm/interest and responsiveness to patients' emotional and financial needs. Patient-reported satisfaction and students' complex clinical recommendations provided further evidence of student learning. Conclusion. This novel IPE in MTM promoted interprofessional collaboration and education in this unique patient care area. Students' attitudes toward and skills in interprofessional collaboration improved, and the patients who received care reported positive experiences. Many health professions programs face challenges in meeting IPE requirements. The results of our study may provide the impetus for other institutions to develop similar programs to meet this urgent need.

To assess whether differences exist in adherence to national consensus guidelines, between urban and rural patients receiving medication therapy management (MTM) for diabetes and/or hypertension. METHODS: Patients participating in Year 1 of this study included those: 18 years and older, diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension, and living in rural Arizona communities (per Arizona statute) who received pharmacist-delivered, telephonic MTM services and a comprehensive medication review (CMR) from an academic-based MTM provider.