Hormonal contraceptive Access via Pharmacist-Prescribing Implementation package (HAPPI)

NIH RePORTER · ALLCDC · R43 · $243,500 · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract With 95% of unintended pregnancies in the United States attributed to incorrect, inconsistent, or non-use of contraception, improving access to reliable contraception is an important public health issue. Pharmacists are considered the most accessible health care provider and are well-positioned to improve contraception access by providing pharmacist- prescribed contraception services. The focus of this proposed work is on pharmacists who can provide greatest access – those in community pharmacies. There are more than 67,750 community pharmacies in the United States and only 3,500 are currently offering pharmacist prescribing of contraception. Research consistently identifies barriers to implementation of pharmacist contraception prescribing. In order to maximize access to contraception, barriers to pharmacist implementation must be addressed. This project will develop a Hormonal contraceptive Access via Pharmacist-Prescribing Implementation (HAPPI) package that will support effective and sustainable provision of pharmacist-prescribed contraception services. We will use a convergent, parallel design including both quantitative and qualitative data, grounded in implementation science using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) and Evidence-Based Quality Improvement (EBQI). The mixed methods approach will better inform development and refinement of the HAPPI package. A summary of the existing technology, tools, and resources that may be used, needed, and/or considered to overcome frequently cited barriers to the implementation of pharmacist-prescribed contraception services will be created. Model adopter case studies will be created to illustrate “best practices”. Pharmacy decision makers (owners and executives) and end-users (pharmacy manager pharmacists and staff pharmacists) will participate in focus groups for concept mapping and a multi-stakeholder advisory panel. The focus groups will identify and prioritize tools and resources to be included in the HAPPI package while the multi-stakeholder advisory panel will provide input on perceived acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of implementing pharmacist-prescribed contraception services with and without the HAPPI package. Pharmacist contraceptive prescribing has the potential to expand access to contraception. If successful, this project will create a prototype implementation package that will form the basis for our future SBIR Phase II grant to conduct usability testing and ultimately commercialize and measure the impact of the HAPPI package.

Key facts

NIH application ID
10385525
Project number
1R43DP006691-01
Recipient
EMPOWERX, INC.
Principal Investigator
Ashley H Meredith
Activity code
R43
Funding institute
ALLCDC
Fiscal year
2021
Award amount
$243,500
Award type
1
Project period
2022-09-30 → 2023-09-29