Research Proposal: Patient Support Programs for Medication Therapies

This research proposal aims to investigate the effectiveness of patient support programs in improving medication therapies for patients in rural India. The study employs a descriptive research design, utilizing a quantitative approach and secondary data collection from journals, articles, and books. Thematic analysis will be used to analyze the data. The proposal explores the current healthcare challenges in rural India, including limited access to quality medical services and high mortality rates, and it reviews the literature on medication therapies and various types of patient support programs, such as cholesterol tests, men's health programs, and smoking cessation programs. The research questions focus on understanding the concept of patient support programs, identifying different types, evaluating their effectiveness, and suggesting strategies for improvement. The proposal outlines the research methodology, including research philosophy, protocol, article selection, inclusion and exclusion criteria, quality assessment, data extraction, and ethical considerations. The ultimate goal is to provide evidence-based recommendations for enhancing healthcare outcomes in rural areas through patient support programs. The study also highlights the importance of considering ethical and practical issues to avoid limitations.

Research Proposal

ABSTRACT
Medical therapies help healthcare professionals in cure and treatment of various physical
and mental disease or disorder. These help in conducting patient support programs effectively and
properly in rural areas.
Aim:
The main aim of the study was to improvise the medication therapy of patients in rural areas
of India through a patient support program. With respect to this, the investigation has given
emphasis to the various strategies, medical therapies, patients support programs in rural areas and
many more.
Design:
In the present research, descriptive study design has been taken into the consideration. In
addition, for descriptive investigation, quantitative study has been conducted. With the help of both
design the objectives of the study with respect to the improvement in medical therapies of patients
in rural areas of India has been accomplished.
Data Collection:
All the data has been gathered with the help of secondary research. In this, journals, past
researches, books, articles, etc are used for collecting relevant information with respect to the
subject.
Data Analysis:
The research is qualitative and due to this, thematic method is used by the researcher for
analysis of obtained data in effective and proper way. This analysis technique helped in analysing
and evaluating the subjective based information.
Conclusion:
Appropriate methods and techniques with respect to the research design, data collection and
analysis, etc have been used as per the topic of the study. Secondary information is collected from
the different articles for accomplishing the objectives of the investigation properly. Different
strategies and methods have been defined in the study for improving the medical therapies in rural
areas of India through effective patient support programmes.

Table of Contents
ABSTRACT.........................................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................4
Research question ......................................................................................................................5
Literature Review.................................................................................................................................6
Medication Therapies..................................................................................................................6
Patient support programmes (PSP).............................................................................................6
Types of patient support programs and medication therapies.....................................................7
Effectiveness of patient support programs in rural areas............................................................9
Strategies for improvising the medication therapies of patients through patient support programs
...................................................................................................................................................11
Research Gap: ..........................................................................................................................12
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.......................................................................................................12
Research Philosophy.................................................................................................................12
Research Protocol ....................................................................................................................13
Article identification.................................................................................................................13
Article selection........................................................................................................................14
Inclusion criteria.......................................................................................................................15
Exclusion Criteria.....................................................................................................................15
Quality assessment....................................................................................................................16
Data extraction..........................................................................................................................16
Data analysis.............................................................................................................................16
Ethical considerations...............................................................................................................16
Limitations................................................................................................................................17
CONCLUSION..................................................................................................................................17

INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this research proposal is to propose a future analysis in order to determine
the effectiveness of patient support programs in improvising the medication therapies of patients in
rural areas of India (Glasby, 2012). The following proposal will explain how the background study
and literature review will be conducted. Further it will also explain how different articles for will be
included in inclusion and exclusion criteria, and what types of research methodologies, design and
approach will be selected in order to complete the proposed research study (Heginbotham, 2012).
Of all the global health problems, rural healthcare issues in India has been one of the biggest
challenges that is faced by constitution of India in recent times (Jackson and et.al., 2011). More than
70% of the population in India is living in rural areas with lack of medical facilities. This is greatly
increased the mortality rates due to the prevalence of different types of diseases. The main problem
that is present in healthcare sector is that lack of accessibility and low quality of medical services
have changed the healthcare scenario in a negative aspects (Keeling and et.al., 2013). Due to lack of
quality care provided in maternal sector, India accounts for the highest number of maternal deaths.
Not only in the government areas but the private sector is also very often confined to family
planning and antenatal care. They do not extend their medical and healthcare services to decrease
the cases of complication in labour pain and delivery (Liveng, 2010).
What?
The research proposal is intended to evaluated and investigate the effectiveness of patient
support program (Lloyd and Marjorie, 2010). It will also focus on developing strategies to
improvise the medication therapy of patients in rural areas of India. Lastly it will also focus on
concept of healthcare and management in improvising the medical therapy in patients of India.
How?
To analyse the effectiveness of patient support program systemic review or literature review
of different articles will be conducted so that it is able to provide detailed information about the
healthcare conditions that is existing in rural areas of India (Lu and et.al., 2010). For conducting the
research in an effective and appropriate manner the initial cost will be estimated so that the research
do not crosses its budget. Further in order to avoid limitations and other practical issues related to
research several ethical and practical considerations will be taken into account (McKeown and
et.al., 2011).
Why?
Healthcare issue is one of the most significant problems in rural areas of India due to the
presence of ineffective care and medical services (McSherry and Pearce, 2011). If the health
landscape of India is taken into account it is very clear that 70% of the healthcare services is
provided in urban part of India. The cost of the quality services provided in urban sector is also very

expensive which is not affordable by all the individuals (Morgan, 2013).
Research question
The proposed study has intended to answer the following research questionnaire
“Investigate the effectiveness of patient support program”
The following question is intended to be answered through systematic review and it will be
correlated and contrasted by using different types of articles.
Aim
“To improvise the medication therapy of patients in rural areas of India through a patient support
program”
Objectives
 To understand the concept of patient support programs in medication therapies of patients
 To identify different types of patient support programs in medication therapies.
 To evaluate the effectiveness of patient support programs in improvising the medication
therapies of patients in rural areas of India
 To suggest strategies for improvising the medication therapies of patients in Rural areas of
India through patient support programs

Literature Review
Medication Therapies
According to the Volkow and et.al., 2014, “Therapy refers to the remedial treatment of
physical and mental disorder. It is remediation of any kind of health issues with the help of any
diagnosis” (Volkow and et.al., 2014, pp. 2064). Along with this Ratanawongs and et.al., 2013, have
stated that “In the area of medical, therapy is the synonymous with the term treatment (tx or Tx).
These include proper medications, alteration in diets, changes in sleeping habits, enhancement of
exercises, minimisation of stress, etc” (Ratanawongs and et.al., 2013, pp. 213).
On the other hand Maggard-Gibbons and et.al., 2013, have said that “Therapists uses
different therapeutic intervention approaches in conjunction with other therapeutic modalities. It
includes behavioural, cognitive, social, creative, etc modalities which helps in providing proper
treatment to the patients” (Maggard-Gibbons and et.al., 2013, pp.2259). In favour to this Tan and
et.al., 2011, have found that “With respect to the biological disorder, sometimes it becomes
necessary to control and handle the issue with the help of different medical therapies. People
suffering from Tourette syndrome, ADHD, epilepsy, autism and many more usually get benefited
from the effective and appropriate use of medical therapies” (Tan and et.al., 2011, pp. 60). In
contrast to it Brown and Bussell, 2011, have argued that “Medical therapies which are used,
handled and controlled by psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, clinical social workers, etc
is called as psychotherapy. It is also called as talking therapy” (Brown and Bussell, 2011, pp. 25).
Patient support programmes (PSP)
Sedjo and Devine, 2011, have concluded that “PSP is a kind of service designed and
developed for direct patient interaction or engagement to help healthcare management to provide
support for their service users” (Sedjo and Devine, 2011, pp. 195). In contrast to it Shamir and
et.al., 2015, have argued that “PSP is a kind of organised and well developed system in which
marketing authorisation holder gathers the information with respect to the use of medical products
and services for the effective and appropriate treatment of service users” (Shamir and et.al., 2015).
With respect to the purpose Ratanawongsa and et.al., 2012, have asserted that “The major purpose
of PSP is to support health and care of patients by supplementing and reinforcing care and guidance.
It also includes financial assistance for the service users such as product discount, reimbursement
support and many more” (Ratanawongsa and et.al., 2012, pp.98).
According to the Gellad, Grenard and Marcum, 2011, “Healthcare organisations uses patient

support programs to increase the uptakes and for providing quality services to the service users. It
is important to aware clients about this program before conducting it, so that they can take full and
active participation” (Gellad, Grenard and Marcum, 2011, pp. 21). Along with this Brennan and
et.al., 2012, have declared that “While providing information about the program to the patients it is
essential to develop strong value and worthiness among them. Additionally, social care firms should
respect the time and commitment with their service users at the time of developing patient support
activities” (Brennan and et.al., 2012, pp. 123). On the other hand Yu and et.al., 2012, have argued
that “Some people thinks that PSP's are designed and developed for organised data collection
schemes but it is not like that. The main role of PSPs is to provide quality and effective services to
the patients for their welfare and better recovery” (Yu and et.al., 2012, pp.310).
As per the view of Nichols and et.al., 2011, “It is necessary that patient support program
should be developed by collecting all the relevant information regarding clients, their needs,
expectations, gaps in existing competitive offerings, environmental considerations and many more.
All these result to creation and implementation of effective and efficient patient support programs ”
(Nichols and et.al., 2011, pp.356). In contrast to it Simon and et.al., 2013, have identified that
“Team of healthcare professionals are required to design and develop an effective and successful
program which can deliver expected and desired outcome. Designing and developing includes
strategies for aligning needs with the brand objectives, experienced therapists for developing layout,
relationship marketing for explaining ongoing outreach process, cadence and frequency, etc”
(Simon and et.al., 2013, pp. 289). The author further explained that it is essential to develop
effective connection between all the strategies and processes for getting desired result. All the
obtained data need to be analysed properly with the help of different tools and techniques.
Types of patient support programs and medication therapies
Types of Patient support programs:
Healthcare management designs and develops various patient support programs. Different
researchers have different opinion toward these programmes which are as follows:
 Cholesterol Test: According to Wachter, 2012, “Program regarding cholesterol test is
designed for providing resources to those patients who are at risk and diagnosed with high
cholesterol. Various questions are asked by the doctors and appropriate suggestions and
guidance is given to the service users for lowering the risk. These include low cholesterol
recipes, providing information about cardiovascular myths and many more” (Wachter, 2012,
pp.30)
 Men's Business: Gardner and et.al., 2012, have stated that “Men's business is a kind of

patient support program which provides support regarding the disorders, diseases or issues
that occurs in men” (Gardner and et.al., 2012, pp.100). In context to this Volkow and et.al.,
2014, have found that “The PSP related to the men provides information about the erectile
dysfunction in a clear and concise way” (Volkow and et.al., 2014, pp.2064).
 UP2YOU: As per the view of Ratanawongs and et.al., 2013, “There is presence of online
support named UP2YOU which helps healthcare professionals in providing appropriate
guidance to the parents of children regarding growth hormone” (Ratanawongs and et.al.,
2013, pp. 95).
 My Time To Quit: Sedjo and Devine, 2011, have said that “If an individual wants to take
treatment for the smoking cessation or needs to quit this habit, can join the support program
My Time To Quit” (Sedjo and Devine, 2011, pp.197). On the other hand Shamir and et.al.,
2015, have found that “It is important for the patient to prescribe a treatment for quitting the
habit of smoking before adding My Time To Quit program. This support program provides
full care and attention the service users throughout their quitting journey” (Shamir and et.al.,
2015, pp.298).
 Pfizer Pfusion: According to the Medical Therapies, 2016, “This support program is created
for managing the issue of haemophilia effectively and in better manner. This provides
feature of mobile application, purpose built iphone app, etc which helps in tracking
infusions and bleed in easy manner” (Medical Therapies. 2016).
 Steps Towards Achieving Response (STAR): Brown and Bussell, 2011, have explained that
“STAR supports cancer affected individuals by providing them information about the
medicines, their side effects, treatments, tips for managing lifestyle changes throughout the
treatment and medication” (Brown and Bussell, 2011, pp. 102).
Types of medication therapies:
Healthcare management uses different medication therapies as per the requirement of
disease which are as follows:
By chronology of combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy: According to the Demange and
et.al., 1993,“The results of repeated combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy are different from
the single combined treatments. Chronology of the repeated combined treatments are compared by
the researcher with the single combined treatments. As per the results, it has found that combined
treatments of this therapy are more effective than the single treatments(Demange and et.al., 1993).
In favour to this Cao and et.al., 2014, has said that “The combination of both chemotherapy and
radiotherapy results to make the drug delivery more efficient and effective for the disease like

cancer”(Cao and et.al., 2014, pp. 10).
By Treatment Intent:
 Abortive Therapy: According to the Simon and et.al., 2013, “This therapy is used for
stopping a medical condition for further treatments. In this medication is taken by the patient
at earliest signs of any particular disease such as analgesic, migraine, headache, etc” (Simon
and et.al., 2013, pp. 288).
 Consolidation Therapy: Nichols and et.al., 2011, have stated that “Consolidation Therapy is
used by therapists to consolidate the outcomes of induction theory (first line). One of the
best example of this therapy is cancer” (Nichols and et.al., 2011, pp. 356).
 Curative Therapy: As per the view of Maggard-Gibbons and et.al., 2013, “The therapy
contain some curative intent which helps in curing the root and main cause of a disorder or
disease” (Maggard-Gibbons and et.al., 2013, pp. 2251).
 Systemic Therapy: Shamir and et.al., 2015, have asserted that “This therapy with respect to
the psychotherapeutic sense leads to address not only at individual basis but also in groups
and relations ” (Shamir and et.al., 2015, pp. 1031).
By Therapy composition
According to the. Brennan and et.al., 2012, “Use of therapies is classified on the basis of
method of treatments which includes matter like drugs, chemical elements; energy like magnetic
energy, electric energy, etc; human and animal interaction, reading, creativity and many more ”
(Brennan and et.al., 2012, pp. 128).
Effectiveness of patient support programs in rural areas
Effectiveness of patient support programs is as follows:
Treatment Management: According to the Gardner and et.al., 2012, “PSP helps healthcare
professionals in managing the treatments effectively as per the disease and disorder of the service
users. Proper research helps in collecting all the information about the diseases, their medication,
their side effects and many more which leads to proper selection of treatments” (Gardner and et.al.,
2012, pp. 90).
Side effect management: Boeree, 2009, have stated that “Some complex diseases have high dose of
medicines for proper treatment. These high dose medicines result to effect negatively on the health
of individual which is properly managed by PSP. It is important to manage side effects and for this,
doctors used to gather information about the needs and wants of service users. From the result they

provide proper treatment for handling and controlling side effects” (Boeree, 2009).
Patient Engagement: As per the view of Nichols and et.al., 2011, “PSP results to improve relations
among the patients which leads to divert their mind towards area of interest. Various activities are
conducted by the care workers in program to support health care of the clients which helps in
developing effective, open and friendly environment” (Nichols and et.al., 2011, pp. 100).
Education and Training: Ratanawongs and et.al., 2013, have stated that “For designing and
developing effective and proper patient support program it is essential to conduct proper training
and development activities. It results to increase the skills, abilities and knowledge of the healthcare
professionals” (Ratanawongs and et.al., 2013, pp. 211). In favour to this Sedjo and Devine, 2011,
have concluded that “Healthcare management provides training to the workers for researching
needs and wants of the clients. This information helps in creating and designing PSP properly”
(Sedjo and Devine, 2011, pp. 197).
Care Plan Management: As per the view of Brennan and et.al., 2012, “PSP helps in managing and
achieving the care plans of the healthcare firm. Results of the PSP shows that whether it
accomplished the desired care plan objectives or not” (Brennan and et.al., 2012, pp. 125). With
respect to the care plan Nichols and et.al., 2011, have concluded that “Care plan are formed by the
social care firms for providing effective treatment to the patients for their fast and proper recovery.
The plan includes timescale which leads to accomplish all the activities as per the planning ”
(Nichols and et.al., 2011, pp. 105).
Care Team Assessment: According to the Gellad, Grenard and Marcum, 2011, “Proper assessment
is conducted by the care team of healthcare firm for gather information about the different needs,
wants, diseases, disorders, medications, their side effects, treatments, problems which are being
faced by the clients and many more. All these informations tends to develop effective PSP which
leads to support the health care and betterment of service users” (Gellad, Grenard and Marcum,
2011, pp. 17).
Effective Image: According to the Wachter, 2012, “Use of PSP with appropriate therapies and
medication results to create good image of the firm among the people. It leads to increase number of
customers and profitability” (Wachter, 2012, pp. 111).
Satisfaction: Simon and et.al., 2013, have suggested that “In PSPs, doctors and care workers used
to give advice and suggestions to their clients as per the risk level of the disease and recovery
chances. Time to tiem check-up, proper treatment, medication, prescriptions, etc results to fulfil
needs, wants and expectations of the patients which helps in bringing high level of satisfaction”
(Simon and et.al., 2013, pp. 288).

Record Management: Sedjo and Devine, S., 2011, have said that “Healthcare professionals need to
manage records properly so information can be used whenever needed. Management of all the
information and treatment details with the success of PSPs helps in making proper improvements in
the future. It leads to remove the loopholes and improve the PSPs to achieve the desired objective of
supporting patient health care” (Sedjo and Devine, S., 2011, pp. 200).
Relationship Management: According to the Volkow and et.al., 2014, “PSPs result to develop
effective and good relations between the rural patients and health care professionals. Various
meetings, discussions, etc leads to improve communication and interaction with the care workers”
(Volkow and et.al., 2014, pp. 2066). In con text to this Tan and et.al., 2011, have concluded that
“Effective interaction and communication helps service user in explaining all his/her issues and
problems due to the disease or disorder to the doctor. This makes care worker to decide appropriate
treatment and service for the recovery and betterment of the client” (Tan and et.al., 2011, pp. 52).
Strategies for improvising the medication therapies of patients through patient support programs
The strategy which healthcare organisation needs to follow for improvising its medication
therapies of patients through patient support programmes is as follows:
Identification risk or disease of patient: According to the Felix, 2015, “The first role of healthcare
professionals while using PSPs for the betterment of patients is to understand their problem or risk.
This helps in getting all the information about the issue faced by the service user due to the disease
and what are his/her requirements to cure it” (Felix, 2015). On the other hand Brennan and et.al.,
2012, have stated that “For knowing the problem of client, it is essential for the doctors to have
effective communication skills. It helps in maintaining relation with the service user. Due to this,
individuals can able to explain their problem openly without any fear and with a feel of trust and
loyalty” (Brennan and et.al., 2012, pp. 128). In favour to this Gardner and et.al., 2012, have
declared that “Proper questioning makes patient feel that doctor is giving proper attention to his/her
disease. This feel leads to increase level of satisfaction and trust over the healthcare worker”
(Gardner and et.al., 2012, pp. 10).
Instructions for using medication: As per the view of Brown and Bussell, 2011, “Healthcare
professionals need to give proper instructions to the patients with respect to the use of suggested
medicines. This information helps in preventing clients from any kind of side effect” (Brown and
Bussell, 2011, pp. 80). In context to this Tan and et.al., 2011, have declared that “Proper
instructions help individual in taking medicines according which leads to fast and appropriate
recovery. Wrong information can affect health of person physically or mentally and sometimes
increase the risk or issue related to the disease” (Tan and et.al., 2011, pp. 53). On the other hand

Gardner and et.al., 2012, have demonstrated that “While instructing about the medication, doctors
need to ensure that client is properly listening to him/her and giving proper attention to the
explanation. At the end, care workers can summarise the information again for reducing the chances
of any mistake” (Gardner and et.al., 2012, pp. 129).
Send Reminders: Nichols and et.al., 2011, have found that “In PSPs, doctors send reminders to the
patients about the next meetings, obtained results, recovery status, essential information, etc with
the help of emails, calls, messages and letters. This helps in reminding clients about their
appointment with the doctor so that they can able to reach at time” (Nichols and et.al., 2011, pp.
356). Along with this Shamir and et.al., 2015, have declared that “Reminders about the diet,
exercise, medicines, treatments helps service users in following the instructed medication properly.
These reminders help in fast and better recovery of the patients” (Shamir and et.al., 2015, pp. 1030).
In contrast to it Simon and et.al., 2013, have argued that “Regular reminders lead to improve the
relationship between doctor and individual, due to which patients feel comfortable in sharing their
information regarding disease” (Simon and et.al., 2013, pp. 300).
Reinforce verbal information with written information: According to the Sedjo and Devine, 2011,
“Doctors should keep record of all the information they have got at the time of PSPs which are
provided by the patients. Details about the treatment, medication, issues occurred during treatment,
solutions used for resolving them, etc are important to keep in written form” (Sedjo and Devine, S.,
2011, pp. 198).
Review drug at each visit: As per the view of Ratanawongs and et.al., 2013, “It is necessary for the
healthcare professionals to review the drugs they have suggested to the patient. This review helps in
changing the medicines as per the recovery status. Wrong medicine can negatively affect health of
the patient or can make the situation worse” (Ratanawongs and et.al., 2013, pp. 211).
Research Gap:
Different researches have been conducted on the topic of medication therapies and patient
support program. But there is no investigation on the role to improvise the medication therapy of
patients in rural areas of India through a patient support program which helps in removing the
research gap.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research Philosophy
Positivism research philosophy will be used in the research because the overall study is
based on objective basis (Reeves and et.al., 2011). It will also help in adhering to factual knowledge
obtained through observation. Further, it assist in concentrating on the facts so that objectives of