Pharmacoepidemiology & Medication Adherence
Our overall goal in conducting pharmacoepidemiology and medication adherence studies at Kaiser Permanente Colorado (KPCO) is to improve the health outcomes of our members and the larger community. Pharmacoepidemiology is the study of the uses, effects, and risks of drugs in large numbers of people. Medication adherence is the extent to which a person's medication-taking behavior corresponds to that which was prescribed or advised by a medical professional. To carry out our research goals, we collaborate with KPCO leaders and clinicians, as well as with other Kaiser Permanente (KP) regions and integrated healthcare delivery organizations. We also team up with national organizations such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Through observational and interventional studies, we identify, quantify, and work to minimize drug adverse effects, maximize drug benefits, and improve medication adherence. We contribute data and expertise that impact medical product policy in the US.
Pharmacoepidemiology & Medication Adherence Researchers
Featured Projects
The aims of this project are (1) to compare the effects of a values-affirmation exercise with a control exercise on antihypertensive medication adherence in African American patients across three clinical settings; and (2) compare the effects of the values-affirmation exercise in African American patients with its effects in white patients with similar socioeconomic and clinical characteristics.
Funder: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health
Study End Date: 05/31/2021
The major goal of this project is to evaluate two promising, novel services that utilize pharmacist and nurse anticoagulation specialists to provide coordinated care to patients taking direct oral anticoagulants. We will determine the optimal approach to efficiently maximize the safety and effectiveness of these medications in the ambulatory setting.
Funder: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Study End Date: 05/31/2021
The major goal was to further develop and expand an existing QI high-risk medication monitoring IVR outreach program while moving it into KPCO clinical operations.
Funder: KPCO Integrated Regional Analytics (IRA)
Study End Date: 12/31/2019
This project built on previous successful high-risk medication laboratory monitoring projects to further reduce risk by expanding technology-enabled direct-to-patient diagnostic laboratory testing and procedure reminders to additional high-risk medications with recommended safety testing and by evaluating the effectiveness of these reminders in additional populations.
Funder: Lokahi Risk Management
Study End Date: 12/31/2019
This project will identify patients with primary and secondary nonadherence and apply a coordinated team outreach and care approach to help patients achieve evidence-based personalized glucose, blood pressure, or lipids goals.
Funder: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Study End Date: 08/31/2022
The goal of this study was to study the association between opioid use during early gestation and primary neural tube defects.
Funder: U.S. Food & Drug Administration
Study End Date: 09/28/2019
Funder: U.S. Food & Drug Administration
Study End Date: 09/14/2021
Funder: KPCO Integrated Regional Analytics (IRA)
Study End Date: 12/31/2019
The goal of this project was to improve care for patients with hypertension at the First Nations Community HealthSource, an Urban Indian Health Organization in Albuquerque New Mexico. The study supported a randomized, controlled trial of interactive voice-response outreach to patients with hypertension, with the goal of improving blood pressure control through reducing missed clinic appointments and improving medication adherence.
Funder: American Heart Association
Study End Date: 06/30/2020