Residents and Fellows Research in Progress
Sunday, October 13, 2024
12:45 PM–02:15 PM
Abstract
Introduction: The 2016 AACE guidelines identify pharmacists as key members in managing patients with obesity. Previous studies have identified low health literacy’s relation to health complications and the pharmacist’s role in improving health literacy. No previous studies have addressed the pharmacist’s role in improving health outcomes within obesity management through improving health literacy and initiating weight-loss pharmacotherapy.
Research Question or Hypothesis: What is the impact of having a pharmacist involved in obesity management through enhancement of health literacy?
Study Design: Single center, prospective, pre-post cohort study conducted at an outpatient primary care office.
Methods:
Adult patients consulted to pharmacy under a collaborative practice agreement for obesity management from their provider are eligible for inclusion. Patients will be excluded if they are pregnant, lack an obesity diagnosis, or if they decline consultation. Patients will complete 2 visits, approximately 3-4 weeks apart, where they will complete a validated Health Literacy Instrument for Adults (HELIA) assessment, address weight loss medication initiations/changes, and record changes in behavioral patterns and/or weight. The primary outcome is the change in raw HELIA score from baseline to follow-up visit. The secondary outcomes include change in body weight, change in subcategory of health literacy (inadequate, somewhat adequate, sufficient, and excellent), weight-loss agent interventions, and change in disease state management confidence. The primary outcome and change in health literacy subcategory will be analyzed using paired student’s t-tests or Wilcoxon-signed rank tests. The secondary outcomes of weight or medication changes will be analyzed using McNemar’s tests. An increase of 21 points on the raw HELIA assessment in the primary outcome was determined to be significant, with statistical significance set at an alpha of 0.05. Goal enrollment is 9 patients.
Results: This research is in progress and results and conclusions will be reported when completed in late spring.
Conclusion: Pending conclusions will be reported in late spring.
Presenting Author
Sophia Mancuso PharmDCleveland Clinic Hillcrest
Authors
Sandra Axtell PharmD, BCPS, BCACP
Hillcrest Hospital, a Cleveland Clinic Hospital
Bianca Nixon PharmD, BCACP
Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital
Natalie Tasseff PharmD, BCACP
Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital