Over-the-Counter Medication Usage

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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There are several benefits of over-the-counter medications, yet there is little research evaluating how to increase patient compliance when a health care provider suggests an over-the-counter (OTC) medication. We are evaluating two types of physician directions to see which increases patient compliance with OTC medications.

Detailed Description
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Researchers will identify a cohort of gynecologic patients presenting for annual examinations and offer participation in the study. Physician researchers will randomize patients to 2 types of physician directions about OTC medications, then follow compliance over the course of the next 7 months. A total of 123 participants in each arm will undergo recruitment, until a total of 246 participants are recruited. Inclusion criteria include: female, non-pregnant patients presenting for annual gynecologic examinations between the ages of 19-50. Exclusion criteria include: outside of study age range, patient taking thyroid medication, history of kidney stones, history of hypercalcemia, non-English speaking.

Official Title
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Improving Over-the-counter Medication Compliance.

Conditions
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Drugs, Non-Prescription, Medication Systems

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Verbal advice
* Behavioral: Prescription


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Female patients undergoing annual gynecologic examinations. Ages 19-50. Patients not currently taking certain OTC medications. Exclusion Criteria: Pregnancy. History of hypercalcemia. History of kidney stones. Outside study age range of 19-50. Patient taking thyroid medication.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 19 Years
Maximum Age: 50 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Electronic prescription<br>Patients receive a prescription for specific over-the-counter medications. | Behavioral: Prescription<br>* Patients receive a prescription for a specific over-the-counter medication.<br>|
| Active Comparator: Verbal advice<br> | Behavioral: Verbal advice<br>* Patients receive verbal advice regarding specific over-the-counter medications.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Determining which of 2 types of physician direction regarding OTC medication usage improves patients compliance, as assessed at 3 and 6 months after enrollment. |  | 3 and 6 months after enrollment. | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Calcium, Compliance, Medication compliance, electronic prescription, over-the-counter medications, OTC medications