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Purpose: The initiation of specialty medications is associated with patient access challenges and clinician burden. This evaluation assessed the impact on patient and clinician experience of an intervention to improve medication access by investing resources upstream of the prescribing step.
Methods: The specialty pharmacy intervention was designed to improve medication access within 5 medical specialty clinics by utilizing an embedded medication access team assigned to patients and prescribers of targeted medications. Using a multimethods evaluative approach to quantitatively assess associations between the referral process and patient experience, we analyzed the emotional valence of patient portal messages using a retrospective cohort study within the event study framework of a nonrandomized, stepped wedge implementation design. Semistructured qualitative interviews provided an understanding of clinician experience.
Results: The intervention was associated with an increase in the net positive emotional valence of patient portal messages (average marginal effect, 5.3; 95% CI, 3.8-6.8; P < 0.001). Except for patients seen by gastroenterologists for irritable bowel disease, patients cared for in all other specialties experienced statistically significant increases in net positive valence in the primary analysis. Regarding clinician experience, 4 major interrelated themes emerged from 17 qualitative interviews with prescribers and pharmacists: (1) decreased clinician burden, general praise, (2) improved experience and satisfaction, reduced anxiety and concerns, (3) rewarding praise for other prescribers/colleagues, and (4) excellent coordination, efficiency, and speed.
Conclusion: Investing staff resources before, during, and after the prior authorization process greatly improved clinician experience. The positive valence of patient portal messages also increased, suggesting patient experience improvements.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ajhp/zxaf023 | DOI Listing |
J Pharm Policy Pract
September 2025
Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences (JCSMHS), Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia.
Background: Medicine affordability is a critical component of a country's redistributive health policies aimed at ensuring equitable access to healthcare. This study aims to investigate key stakeholders' perspectives on pharmaceutical pricing control in Malaysia as the country is moving towards sustainable healthcare.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews ( = 16) were conducted with a purposive sampling of key stakeholders, which included practitioners and policymakers engaged in Malaysia's public health policy.
J Multidiscip Healthc
September 2025
School Public Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
Background: Diabetes mellitus is a major health challenge among older adults in Asia. Challenges include limited healthcare access and poor self-care adherence. Continuity of care has emerged as a key strategy to enhance diabetes self-management in this population.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBarriers such as stigma and limited access to care continue to impede treatment for anxiety disorders. Telemedicine has emerged as a promising alternative to in-person psychological interventions, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic. This systematic review compares the efficacy of telemedicine and in-person therapies for anxiety disorders, evaluating outcomes, patient engagement, and methodological rigor.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Public Health
September 2025
Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University, Bergheimer Str. 20, Zimmer 317, 69115, Heidelberg, Germany.
Background: People living in prison face exceptionally high prevalence rates of tooth decay, periodontal disease, and poor oral health-related quality of life. Despite its importance, various aspects of oral healthcare in prison settings remain understudied. The present study investigates the barriers and facilitators associated with providing and utilizing oral health services in prison settings, drawing on insights from prison health experts, managerial and custodial staff, healthcare providers, and individuals with lived experience of imprisonment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Health Serv Res
September 2025
African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), APHRC Campus, 2nd Floor, Manga Close off Kirawa Road, P.O. Box 10787-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
Background: Maternal healthcare (MHC) in Cameroon reflects the persistent challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa, where high maternal mortality continues despite improved service utilization, stressing inequitable effective coverage (EC). This study applied EC cascade analysis-including service contact, continuity, and input-adjusted coverage-to quantify geographic and socioeconomic disparities, informing equity-focused strategies to dismantle structural barriers in the MHC continuum.
Methods: We combined population and health facility data (2018 Cameroon Demographic and Health Survey and 2015 Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care Assessment) to estimate the input-adjusted coverage of antenatal care (ANC) and intra-and postpartum care (IPC).