Tailored Intervention to Improve Patient Adherence to Secondary Stroke Prevention Medication

Pharmacist Intervention Programme to Improve Medication Adherence in Stroke Patients

Patient suffering a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) or stroke are subsequently at high risk of a new stroke, however, poor adherence to secondary prevention medications occurs frequently within this patient group. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether a complex tailored pharmacist intervention will lead to increased adherence to secondary stroke prevention medications and less new stroke events when compared to a usual care group. Interventions focus on motivational interviewing, medication review and telephone follow up.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age: 18 years or older
• Patient admitted or receiving ambulatory treatment for an acute transient ischemic attack or ischemic stroke which has occurred within the previous 30 days.
• The patient or a carer usually dispenses the patient's medications
• Written consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cognitive or physical impairment that would preclude comprehension of a conversation
• Terminal illness
• Lives in a care home or an institution
• Receives dose dispensed medicine from a pharmacy
• Medicine is dispensed by a nurse in the patient's home
• Correctional mental health patients