Impacts of Medicine Delivery for Chronic Disease Patients in Primary Care Unit, Mueang Lampang District in the Situation of COVID-19 in 2021

Abstract

Background: During the coronavirus pandemic 2019 to 2021, the emphasis was that people should stay at home as much as possible. Therefore, the system of medicine delivery to patients with chronic diseases was adjusted through various systems, so that patients could take medicine continuously.

Objective: To study the impacts and satisfaction of patients with chronic diseases in each system of medicine delivery in the epidemic of covid 19.

Methods: Mixed method research was conducted in patients with chronic diseases who received services in primary care at Mueang Lampang during May 2021. Four medicine deliveries via postal service, village health volunteers (VHV), pharmacy and primary care unit were administered. Sample size was calculated based on population size. Data was collected using a data collection form and an interview form. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Inferential statistics including paired t-test or chi² test depending on data type, and the thematic analysis.

Results: Of 230 patients, mostly female (60.9%), with a mean age of 62.6 ± 8.7 years, 72.6% were on the Universal Health-care Coverage Scheme and they suffered from chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. They received medication from 1 item to 10 items, the median was 3 (2-4) items. Clinical outcomes were assessed in 177 patients. No statistic difference in both systolic blood pressure [128.9±12.1 vs. 128.8±14.4, p=0.917] and diastolic blood pressure [74.6 ± 8.4 vs. 74.1 ± 8.2, p=0.442]. Medicines delivered by postal service and VHV to their home were the most favored systems.

Conclusion: Patients with chronic diseases still had the same clinical outcomes as 2-3 months before adjusting their medicine delivery systems and patients were satisfied with the delivery of medicines by postal service and the VHVs brought the medicines to their homes.