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Date of Award
2016
Document Type
Thesis - Pacific Access Restricted
Degree Name
Master of Science (M.S.)
Department
Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences
First Advisor
William Kehoe
First Committee Member
Linda Norton
Second Committee Member
Rajul Patel
Third Committee Member
Timothy Smith
Abstract
Background: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and other non-physician health care providers (dentists, optometrists, etc.) has steadily increased in the United States; however, the associated outcomes reported in the Medicare beneficiary population are limited. Objective: To evaluate the utilization of different healthcare providers by Medicare beneficiaries and assess resultant beneficiary outcomes. Methods: Fourteen outreach events targeting Medicare beneficiaries were conducted throughout Northern/Central California during the 2014 open enrollment period. Trained student pharmacists (working under licensed pharmacist supervision) provided beneficiaries with comprehensive medication therapy management (MTM) services. During each intervention, demographic, quality-of-life, health behavior and health provider/service utilization data were collected. Results: Of 620 respondents, 525 (84%) and 84 (14%) reported using at least one non-physician healthcare professional or CAM provider, respectively. Beneficiaries who reported using non-physician healthcare providers were significantly (p < 0.05) more likely to indicate being ‘very confident’ in managing their chronic health conditions. The number of providers seen with prescriptive authority was positively correlated with the number of prescription medications taken (r s =0.342, p < 0.001). The total number of providers seen was positively correlated with the number of drug-related issues identified (r s = 0.179, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Many beneficiaries have multiple chronic conditions and increasingly utilize a variety of healthcare professionals. As such, bridging the communication chasm between these professionals can improve humanistic outcomes and minimize medication related issues of Medicare beneficiaries. Coordinated care, a key strategy for improving healthcare delivery under the Affordable Care Act, is a step in the right direction.
Pages
67
ISBN
9781369298079
Recommended Citation
Mai, Yvonne M.. (2016). Use of various health care providers and the associated clinical and humanistic outcomes in an ambulatory Medicare population. University of the Pacific, Thesis - Pacific Access Restricted. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/265
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