Impact of a Pharmacist-Led Warfarin Self-Management Program on Quality of Life and Anticoagulation Control: A Randomized Trial

To evaluate the impact of a pharmacist-led warfarin patient self-management program on quality of life and anticoagulation control compared with management in a physician-led specialized anticoagulation clinic.

Prospective, randomized, controlled, open-label trial.

Tertiary care academic medical center.

A total of 114 patients aged 18–75 years who were followed at a specialized anticoagulation clinic, had received warfarin for at least 6 months, and were expected to continue warfarin for a minimum of 4 months.

All patients attended an educational session on anticoagulation provided by a pharmacist. Patients randomized to the self-management group (58 patients) also received practical training to use the CoaguChek XS device and a self-management dosing algorithm. Patients in the control group (56 patients) continued to undergo standard management at the anticoagulation clinic.