Abstracts

Identifying Barriers to Antiseizure Medication Adherence Using a Checklist at a Specialty Epilepsy Center

Abstract number : 3.285
Submission category : 7. Anti-seizure Medications / 7E. Other
Year : 2023
Submission ID : 829
Source : www.aesnet.org
Presentation date : 12/4/2023 12:00:00 AM
Published date :

Authors :
Presenting Author: David Ficker, MD – Univeristy of Cincinnati Gardner Neuroscience Institute

Dave Hoffman, MS – University of Cincinnati Health; Anne Paul, MA, MBA – University of Cincinnati Health

Rationale:
Patient reported outcomes (PROs) provide unique insights into the challenges faced by our patients in managing their condition. They can be obtained utilizing an electronic health record (EHR) patient portal. Routine identification of PROs such as barriers to medication adherence can assist in improving medication adherence, and ultimately seizure control.

Methods:
We routinely collect the following PROs in our epilepsy specialty clinic from every patient at each visit: seizure frequency, barriers to medication adherence, depressive symptoms (NDDI-E), and anxiety (GAD-7). Questionnaries are sent to all patients via the patient portal seven days prior to the appointment, with an auto-reminder sent two days prior to visit. If these are not completed, then the PROs are completed in the waiting room (on a tablet) or on paper in the exam room and subsequently entered into the EHR. We assess for the presence of barriers to medication adherence using an 18-item checklist developed by the Epilepsy Learning Health System (ELHS)(Figure 1). 1

Results:
From April 2022 to April 2023, 1,884 patients completed the barriers to medication adherence questionnaire. Results are from the patient’s most recent visit. Two hundred twenty-eight (12.1%) of patients report at least one barrier to medication adherence. Black patients were more likely to report at least one barrier (29.9%) compared to white patients (13.5%) (p< 0.05, chi-square). The most common reported barriers include trouble remembering to take medications (58% of those reporting a barrier) and side effects (27% of those reporting a barrier). All barriers identified are in Figure 2.
Anti-seizure Medications