Background In January 2013, an education program for patients treated with oral anticoagulants called “ETAP” was implemented in the cardiology department of our hospital. The day after the educational intervention, patient knowledge and coping are assessed but long-term knowledge, coping and medicines adherence have never been investigated up to now.

Purpose To assess long-term knowledge, coping and adherence of patients enrolled in ETAP since January 2013.

Material and methods 1) January 2013–August 2014: During hospitalisation, an initial “knowledge and coping score” (E1 score: 0 to 10 points) was awarded for patients enrolled in the education program with a specific questionnaire designed by the ETAP team.

2) June–September 2014: At least one month after discharge from the hospital, a pharmacy student called every patient at home who had given his verbal consent beforehand. A long-term “knowledge and coping score” (E2 score) was awarded with the same questionnaire. Medicines adherence was calculated with the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8).

Results Of the 236 patients contacted, 100 patients completed the study. Mean “knowledge and coping scores” were both above 8 points (E1: 8.61 ± 2.36, E2: 8.23 ± 2.03). No significant difference (p = 0.35) was observed between means of E1 and E2 scores. MMAS-8 showed that most patients (70%) had a high level of adherence. No correlation was observed between E1 or E2 scores and adherence.

Conclusion The results of this pilot study suggest that most patients retain their long-term knowledge and coping skills. These data are in agreement with other studies.¹ The medicines adherence to oral anticoagulants estimated by MMAS-8 was higher than in routine practice. Assessment of the ETAP program should be improved by including biological and clinical outcomes such as INR or bleeding events collection.

Reference

1. Thiriat N, et al. Therapeutic education of elderly patients under antivitamin - K treatment: evaluation of the program after 5 years. J Pharm Belg 2014;(3):30–7

ReferenceNo conflict of interest.