Electronic prescribing influence on calcium supplementation: a randomized controlled trial
Received 11 June 2009; received in revised form 10 September 2009; accepted 28 October 2009. published online 31 December 2009.
Objective
The purpose of this study was to determine whether an electronic prescription for over-the-counter calcium supplements increases compliance.
Study Design
Two hundred forty-five patients from 19-50 years of age who underwent annual gynecologic examinations were assigned randomly to either verbal counseling about the use of a calcium carbonate with vitamin D supplement (n = 122) or verbal counseling and an electronic prescription (n = 123). Telephone interviews at 3 and 6 months determined compliance.
Results
Women who received the electronic prescription were significantly more likely to use calcium supplementation than control subjects at both 3 and 6 months. At 3 months, 66.0% of women who received an electronic prescription reported compliance (P = .001). At 6 months, 57.0% of the participants were compliant (P = .001). At 6 months, women who were given the electronic prescription were 2.2 times more likely to report having taken the calcium than were control subjects (95% confidence interval, 1.5–3.1).
Conclusion
An electronic prescription for over-the-counter calcium supplements is associated with a significant increase in compliance, compared with verbal counseling alone.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Florida Hospital Graduate Medical Education, Florida Hospital Orlando, and the Department of Clinical Sciences, Florida State University College of Medicine, Orlando, FL
Reprints: D. Ashley Hill, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor, Florida State University, Department of Clinical Sciences, 235 E Princeton St, Suite 200, Orlando, FL 32804
Authorship and contribution to the article is limited to the 3 authors indicated. There was no outside funding or technical assistance with the production of this article.
Cite this article as: Hill DA, Cacciatore M, Lamvu GM. Electronic prescribing influence on calcium supplementation: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2010;202:236.e1-5.
ABSTRACT