Two randomized controlled trials of nudges to encourage referrals to centralized pharmacy services for evidence-based statin initiation in high-risk patients: Rationale and design of the SUPER LIPID program
Study context
- Population
- Patients with an assigned primary care provider (PCP) in a participating practice not prescribed a high- or moderate-intensity statin despite an indication (electronic health record (EHR) algorithm)
- Planned comparison
- EHR-based nudges for referral to centralized pharmacy services vs no nudge/usual care
- Primary endpoint
- Proportion of patients prescribed a statin
Methodological detailsstepped wedge (Trial #1, single practice, PCP-level randomisation), cluster-randomised (Trial #2, 10 practices, practice-level randomisation), 11 primary care practices, Trial #1: first 3 months no PCPs received the message; second 3 months half randomly selected; last 3 months all PCPs, Referred patients: pharmacist reviewed chart, contacted patient, and initiated statin if patient agreed, Secondary endpoints: statin at guideline-recommended intensity, statin prescription fill, serum LDL
- Stepped wedge (Trial #1, single practice, PCP-level randomisation)
- Cluster-randomised (Trial #2, 10 practices, practice-level randomisation)
- 11 primary care practices
- Trial #1: first 3 months no PCPs received the message; second 3 months half randomly selected; last 3 months all PCPs
- Referred patients: pharmacist reviewed chart, contacted patient, and initiated statin if patient agreed
- Secondary endpoints: statin at guideline-recommended intensity, statin prescription fill, serum LDL
No results yet. This paper sets out the design of a trial; its results are to come.
Original publication
Two randomized controlled trials of nudges to encourage referrals to centralized pharmacy services for evidence-based statin initiation in high-risk patients: Rationale and design of the SUPER LIPID program. Am Heart J. Published 26 April 2024. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it