Pharmacy Use Survey for Health Accessibility

This trial aims to explore how often patients use more than one pharmacy to obtain their specialty medications and their opinions on this situation. It focuses on patients prescribed at least one specialty medication in the last three months. Participants will complete a survey to share their experiences and opinions. Those electronically prescribed a specialty medication by a specific healthcare provider in the last three months are well-suited for this trial. As an unphased study, this trial offers participants the chance to provide valuable insights that could enhance pharmacy services for specialty medications.

The trial does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems to focus on surveying patients about their pharmacy use rather than changing their medication regimen.

In a previous study, researchers found that surveys provide a safe and effective method for gathering patient information. Surveys often help understand patient thoughts and experiences without health risks. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) created a special survey to assess safety practices in pharmacies, demonstrating their commitment to safe data collection. Since this trial involves only survey completion, participants face no known safety concerns. Surveys are easy to complete and do not involve physical treatments or medications.¹²³⁴⁵

Researchers are excited about this trial because it focuses on understanding how patients interact with specialty pharmacies, which is crucial for improving health accessibility. Unlike traditional treatments that directly address a medical condition, this survey aims to gather insights into the patient experience with specialty medications. By identifying barriers and facilitators in accessing these medications, the trial could lead to enhanced pharmacy services and improved patient outcomes. This approach is different because it prioritizes patient feedback to potentially reshape pharmacy practices, bridging gaps in healthcare access.

In this trial, researchers will survey participants about their experiences with specialty pharmacies. In a previous study, patients using specialty pharmacies reported that their medications were very effective. Research has shown that specialty pharmacies, especially those connected to health systems, lead to better patient satisfaction and outcomes. Patients using these pharmacies often find their medications work well and are happy with their care. Another study found that specialty pharmacies linked to universities had higher patient satisfaction compared to those that were not. These findings suggest that using specialty pharmacies can improve medication effectiveness and enhance patient experiences.¹⁶⁷⁸⁹