Evaluation of a Pharmacist-Led Medication Education Group on Patient-Reported Attitudes and Knowledge, Including a Rasch Analysis of the Questionnaire Used

Abstract

Specific Aims: To assess the effect of a pharmacist-led education group on psychiatric patient-reported attitudes, knowledge, and confidence in self-managing medications. The reliability and validity of the questionnaire given to patients who attended a pharmacist-led medication education group was also evaluated. Methods: A retrospective pre-post questionnaire was distributed patients and collected variables collected including patient self-reported medication knowledge and attitudes, demographics, previous psychiatric hospitalizations, length of group attended, and outpatient pharmacist relationships. Knowledge and attitude items were measured on a 4-point Likert-type scale with response options ranging from “agree” to “disagree.” Rasch analysis was conducted to ensure all items measured the same construct and the probability of the person responding to an item was not dependent on other assessment items. Rasch measurement includes several diagnostic indices that allow item-specific and person-specific examinations of data reliability and measurement fit. In addition, the Rasch technique makes it possible to evaluate the contribution of each person’s measures on each item. A z-test was used to evaluate for instrument content gaps and a dependent t-test was performed to measure for statistical differences before and after the intervention. Main Results: Sixty patients responded to the Medication Attitude and Knowledge Questionnaire over a 16-week period. Gaps identified were not statistically significant (p=0.1064 and 0.5305) indicating that content validity is comprehensive. On a group level, no significant differences were identified in patient answers before and after the intervention (p=0.2162, p=0.8292). When each patient was analyzed separately, only one patient out of 60 showed a significant difference in answers after the intervention. Results also demonstrated that after attending a group, 100% of patients indicated they intended to adhere to their medication regimen post-discharge. Conclusion: This evaluation was unique because patient attitudes were explored before and after medication education group attendance. Medication Attitude and Knowledge items were valid and reliable.