Physicians who review patients’ meds more likely to achieve health goals

the Oncology Nurse Advisor take:

According to findings presented at the American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions in San Diego, California, researchers have found that physicians who routinely review their patients' medications are more likely to improve their patients' adherence to their medications and achieve health goals.

For the study, researchers enrolled 13,026 patients within 30 days of hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome in 36 countries worldwide. Patients were followed for an average of 30 months.

Results showed that after 30 months in the trial, 94% of patients were still on aspirin, 95% were were still on statins, 85% were still taking beta-blockers, and 82% were still on an ACE inhibitor or an ARB.

The study also found that LDL goals were achieved in 42% of patients aiming for 70 mg/dL and 77% of patients targeting 100 mg/mL at baseline, which remained largely unchanged at the end of the study.

The findings suggest that patients are willing to take their medications for a long duration, thereby reducing the risk of additional cardiovascular events and improving health outcomes.