Challenge

When examining the drivers behind medication adherence, it's not just about whether a therapy works or not. In a patient-centric world, therapy satisfaction often plays an equally important role in determining the rates of medication adherence and the ultimate success, or failure, of a brand. Cerner Enviza created the HERO FrameworkTM to provide clients with unparalleled insight into the many faces of today’s diverse healthcare consumers.

A leading global pharmaceutical company wanted to determine the relation of efficacy, therapy acceptance and therapy satisfaction in influencing medication adherence for its intermittent long-term treatment for atopic dermatitis. The company engaged Cerner Enviza to help find real-world answers to some of the toughest questions related to therapy satisfaction and medication adherence.

Approach

Through four consecutive non-interventional studies covering 16,000 patients at over 4,800 sites in Germany, Cerner Enviza accessed patients’ perspectives on treatment satisfaction and physicians’ perspectives on treatment efficacy and satisfaction. We collected patient data through electronic data capture and paper-based diaries and symptom calendars, with reminders delivered via SMS text messaging.

Insight

The patient diary data and symptom calendars showed that, on average, patients started our client’s medicine too late or ended treatment too early.

Impact

Based on these findings, physicians were able to reassess their treatment algorithm, as well as discuss with their patients the importance of ongoing adherence to treatment. Our client reworked its educational material to improve early prescribing and greater patient adherence and thus the performance of their therapy.