Clinical utility of the Arabic medication-related burden quality of life (MRB-QoL) tool in hospital-based medicines optimisation services: A mixed methods feasibility study

Abstract

Background

The Medication-Related Burden Quality of Life (MRB-QoL) Arabic version is a 31-item valid and reliable measure of medication burden on functioning and well-being in people with long-term conditions.

Aim

To evaluate the feasibility of using the Arabic MRB-QoL tool in clinical pharmacist-led medicines optimisation services in United Arab Emirates (UAE) hospitals.

Method

This non-randomised, non-controlled, feasibility study was conducted in 4 UAE hospitals, utilising a mixed-methods approach. The clinical utility of the MRB-QoL Arabic was evaluated, covering various aspects of feasibility, including acceptability, usability, benefits, facilitators, and barriers to its implementation in practice. The study comprised 3 stages: providing training for clinical pharmacists (CPs) and nurses, implementing the Arabic MRB-QoL tool, and the System Usability Scale (SUS) survey and semi-structured interviews with CPs. The usability and perceived benefits were evaluated using qualitative interviews and a Qualtrics survey. The perceived acceptability, barriers, and facilitators were explored through analysis of the interviews.

Results

Ten CPs implemented the Arabic MRB-QoL tool during routine medication reviews for 227 admitted patients. Thematic analysis of the interview transcripts identified key themes that highlighted the acceptability, usability, benefits, as well as facilitators, and barriers the CPs faced in implementing the tool in their routine clinical practice. In addition, the SUS survey showed an average score of 82.2, indicating excellent usability of the tool in facilitating medicines optimisation services.

Conclusions

This study confirmed the clinical utility of the MRB-QoL Arabic in pharmacist-led medicines optimisation services in UAE hospitals, highlighting preliminary evidence of its acceptability, usability, and benefits, as well as facilitators and barriers to implementation. By promoting patient-centred medicines optimisation, the Arabic MRB-QoL tool has the potential to help healthcare providers gain insights into patients' experiences with medicines and the key dimensions of medication burden patients encounter, optimise medicines regimens, and improve patients' quality of life.