The Effect of Home Medication Delivery by Village Health Volunteer of Health Riders Combined with Telepharmacy Services for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Kusuman District, Sakon Nakhon Province.

Abstract

Home medication delivery emerged as a public health innovation following the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure medication continuity, reduce hospital congestion, and decrease travel costs. Kusuman Hospital implemented a home medication delivery service by village health volunteers of health riders for diabetic patients, with pharmacists providing medication counseling via telepharmacy. However, the effects on blood glucose control, medication adherence, and patient satisfaction among recipients of this service have not been previously studied. This quasi-experimental research aimed to evaluate the effects of home medication delivery by village health volunteers of health riders combined with telepharmacy services on blood glucose control, medication adherence, and patient satisfaction. The study included 84 type 2 diabetes patients registered at Kusuman Hospital, Sakon Nakhon Province, from October 1 to December 31, 2024. Blood glucose control, medication adherence, and patient satisfaction were assessed after three months of receiving home medication delivery services by village health volunteers of health riders. Data analysis employed frequency, percentage, standard deviation, and dependent t-test. After three months of home medication delivery by village health volunteers of health riders, the mean blood glucose level decreased from 131.83±18.55 mg/dL to 129.36±20.42 mg/dL, showing no significant difference compared to hospital pickup (p-value = 0.207). Most patients (92.86%) demonstrated good medication adherence scores. Patient satisfaction was rated highest across all the evaluated aspects of the service. In conclusion, patients who received medication deliveries at home by village health volunteers of health riders with pharmacist counseling via telepharmacy maintained blood glucose levels comparable to hospital pickup, demonstrated good medication adherence, and reported highest satisfaction across all evaluated service aspects.