Assessing quality of life in an ambulatory Medicare population
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Consultant Pharmacist
ISSN
0888-5109
Volume
27
Issue
10
DOI
10.4140/TCP.n.2012.719
First Page
719
Last Page
728
Publication Date
10-1-2012
Abstract
Objective: Medicare beneficiaries have unique health-related challenges causing significant impact on quality of life. This study examined the overall health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and differences in HRQOL between subgroups of an ambulatory Medicare beneficiary population. Methods: Nine outreach events were held during the 2011 Medicare Part D prescription drug open-enrollment period, in which 397 beneficiaries were assisted with Part D plan evaluation and comprehensive medication therapy review. Demographic data were collected, and the SF-36v2 was administered to measure beneficiaries' self-reported HRQOL. Correlations were assessed between the mental component summary (MCS) or physical component summary (PCS) scores of the SF-36v2, prescription utilization, number of chronic conditions, and whether beneficiaries were government subsidyrecipients. Results: Mean Å standard deviation of PCS and MCS scores were 43.3 Å 11.4 and 52.2 Å 11.7, respectively. Both PCS and MCS scores were negatively correlated with the number of prescription medications and number of self-reported chronic conditions. Both PCS and MCS scores related to sociodemographics were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in subsidy and least-educated recipients. Conclusions: HRQOL can vary widely as a result of sociodemographic, drug, or disease differences in an ambulatory Medicare beneficiary population.
Recommended Citation
Woelfel, J. A.,
Patel, R. A.,
Huey, T.,
Patel, U.,
Walberg, M. P.,
Galal, S. M.,
&
Carr-Lopez, S. M.
(2012).
Assessing quality of life in an ambulatory Medicare population.
Consultant Pharmacist, 27(10), 719–728.
DOI: 10.4140/TCP.n.2012.719
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/phs-facarticles/21
