Why has Cityblock's medication adherence rate for chronic disease patients dropped by 15% over the past month?

Introduction

Cityblock's 15% drop in medication adherence rate for chronic disease patients over the past month is a critical issue that demands immediate attention. This metric directly impacts patient health outcomes and the effectiveness of Cityblock's care model. I'll approach this problem systematically, focusing on identifying the root cause, validating hypotheses, and developing both short-term and long-term solutions.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Looking at the timing, I'm thinking there might be a seasonal component. Has this drop coincided with any major holiday periods or seasonal changes?

Why it matters: Seasonal factors could explain temporary changes in patient behavior. Expected answer: No significant seasonal correlation identified. Impact on approach: If seasonal, we'd focus on cyclical strategies; if not, we'd look deeper into internal factors.

• Considering potential changes in patient demographics, has there been any significant shift in the patient population we're serving?

Why it matters: Changes in patient demographics could affect overall adherence rates. Expected answer: No major changes in patient demographics. Impact on approach: If demographics have changed, we'd tailor our approach to new patient needs; if not, we'd focus on existing patient engagement strategies.

• Thinking about our medication distribution system, have there been any recent changes to our pharmacy partnerships or medication delivery processes?

Why it matters: Changes in how patients receive medications could impact adherence. Expected answer: No significant changes to pharmacy partnerships or delivery processes. Impact on approach: If changes occurred, we'd investigate those specific alterations; if not, we'd look into patient-side factors.

• Reflecting on our patient communication strategies, have we made any recent modifications to our reminder systems or patient engagement protocols?

Why it matters: Changes in communication could affect how patients remember and prioritize medication adherence. Expected answer: Some minor updates to the reminder system were implemented. Impact on approach: If changes were made, we'd scrutinize those specific updates; if not, we'd explore other factors affecting patient engagement.