Analysis of the Descriptions in the Tracing Report and Post-Submission Treatment～Second Report: Telephone Medication Follow-Up V.S. In-Person Medication Dispensing～

Abstract

We compared the content of tracing reports (TRs) submitted based on information gathered during medication guidance (Face-to-Face/TRs) with those submitted after medication follow-up by phone calls (TEL/TRs) and analyzed subsequent prescription changes. During the study period, 845 Face-to-Face/TRs (covering 907 cases, average of 1.07 cases per TR) and 907 TEL/TRs (covering 2,475 cases, average of 2.73 cases per TR) were submitted. The proportion of reports related to “disease awareness, medication knowledge, and living environment,” “concomitant medications, dosage, and dosage form,” and “poor drug adherence (DA)” was significantly higher in Face-to-Face/TRs than in TEL/TRs (P<0.01). On the other hand, the proportion of reports related to “good DA,” “other factors,” and “side effects and allergies” was significantly higher in TEL/TRs than in Face-to-Face/TRs (P<0.01). Specific prescription proposals were found in 355 Face-to-Face/TRs and 140 TEL/TRs. However, there was no significant difference in prescription changes after the submission of these TRs (P=0.07). This study demonstrated that the types of patient information obtained differ between face-to-face interactions during pharmacy visits and follow-up phone calls, leading to variations in the content provided and proposed to physicians. These findings underscore the importance of integrating both face-to-face and telephone follow-ups to achieve seamless and continuous patient care, rather than depending on a single approach.