Influence of the implementation of a multidisciplinary consultation program on adherence to the first ever course of oral antineoplastic treatment in patients with cancer

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate adherence (as measured by the medication possession ratio) to the first ever course of oral antineoplasic treatment in cancer patients before and after the implementation of a multidisciplinary consultation program (involving an oncologist, a pharmacist, and a nurse) and to investigate the program's impact on adverse events and drug-related problems.

Patients and Methods

In a retrospective single-center study, we compared the medication possession ratio 2 months after treatment initiation in a control group (before multidisciplinary consultation program implementation) versus an interventional group (after multidisciplinary consultation program implementation).

Results

Two months after oral antineoplasic treatment initiation, the mean ± standard deviation medication possession ratio did not differ significantly when comparing the interventional (multidisciplinary consultation program) group (n = 33; 0.99 ± 0.06) with the control group (n = 64; 0.94 ± 0.16) (p = 0.062). Patients in the multidisciplinary consultation program group had fewer adverse events in general (41, vs 109 in the control group; p = 0.048) and digestive adverse events in particular (6 vs 29, respectively; p = 0.007). A total of 53 and 40 drug-related problems were identified in the control and multidisciplinary consultation program groups, respectively (p = 0.074).

Conclusions

Implementation of an multidisciplinary consultation program was not associated with a significant difference in drug adherence (as assessed by the medication possession ratio), which was good before and after implementation. The multidisciplinary consultation program was associated with a lower incidence of adverse events.