Purpose: Pharmacists provide comprehensive medication reviews (CMRs) to address provider shortages in medically underserved rural areas/populations (MUA/P). Currently, there are no studies regarding the proportions of CMRs completed directly with patients (here called, beneficiaries) from MUA/Ps themselves, or with others such as caregivers or primary care providers.
Methods: This retrospective study analyzed adults in 2018 who received a CMR from a telehealth pharmacist. Chi-square tests compared differences in the proportion of CMRs completed with beneficiaries versus others. Multivariable logistic regression determined predictors of CMRs completed with beneficiaries.
Findings: Of 19,655 participants, most were female (68%) and had Spanish preferred language (43%). The following had a greater likelihood of CMR completion with beneficiaries: age 65-74 years; non-rural residents; mental health prescription. These variables had less likelihood of CMR completion with beneficiaries: rural areas; men; and presence of medication nonadherence.
Conclusion: The expansion of pharmacist-delivered CMRs occurred successfully in MUA/Ps. Further work is warranted to investigate the longitudinal effect on health markers.