Single-Subject Analysis of an Occupational Therapy Intervention to Promote Medication Adherence

Abstract

Date Presented 4/7/2016 Half of people fail to take their medications as prescribed. This presentation describes an occupational therapy medication management intervention and, using single-subject data, it explores the efficacy of occupational therapy on medication adherence in adults with chronic health conditions. Primary Author and Speaker: Jaclyn K. Schwartz Additional Authors and Speakers: Stefanie Woelfel, Elizabeth Seidel, Lindsey Marszalkowski, Emily Nowicki, Melissa Mutch, Kimberly Grogan

Benefits of Student Engagement in Intervention Research

“…The PI recruited student volunteers to participate as interventionists and evaluators in a Phase I two-group RCT to test a novel occupational therapy intervention for medication adherence for adults with a variety of chronic health conditions (Schwartz, 2015;Schwartz & Smith, 2015a, 2015b. This article discusses the experiences of the student volunteers using a multiple case study approach with mixed-methods data collection.…”

“…The PI created a comprehensive manual to facilitate students' learning of the complex intervention and evaluation protocols (Medication Management Research Project, 2014;Schwartz, 2015;Schwartz & Smith, 2015a). The manual described the background and need for research, administration, and interpretation of the 13-part assessment battery; administration of the treatment intervention; and administration of the standard care intervention.…”

“…During the exit interview, the RAs asked the participants about their experiences in the study and self-perceived improvements. Participants' experiences and outcomes are reported in detail elsewhere (Schwartz, 2015;Schwartz & Smith, 2015b). This article briefly describes participants' results and their comments about their experiences with the RAs as another outcomes perspective.…”

“…The RAs were able to implement the protocols accurately and successfully. A majority of research participants (55%) in the occupational therapy treatment group self-reported improvements in their medication management compared with participants (30%) in the standard care intervention group (Schwartz, 2015;Schwartz & Smith, 2015b). In addition, during the exit interview, several participants (in both the treatment and standard care groups) noted the highly skilled research staff (Schwartz, 2015; 2015b).…”

“…A majority of research participants (55%) in the occupational therapy treatment group self-reported improvements in their medication management compared with participants (30%) in the standard care intervention group (Schwartz, 2015;Schwartz & Smith, 2015b). In addition, during the exit interview, several participants (in both the treatment and standard care groups) noted the highly skilled research staff (Schwartz, 2015; 2015b). The RAs were identified in 7 of 19 exit interviews as being "knowledgeable," "respectful," "caring," and so forth, and 1 participant said, "I would say that every single one of the team were professional, friendly, [and] seemed to be truly interested in helping.…”