RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Patients’ adherence to osteoporosis therapy
JF Canadian Family Physician
JO Can Fam Physician
FD The College of Family Physicians of Canada
SP 394
OP 402
VO 54
IS 3
A1 Lau Elaine
A1 Alexandra Papaioannou
A1 Lisa Dolovich
A1 Jonathan Adachi
A1 Anna M. Sawka
A1 Sheri Burns
A1 Kalpana Nair
A1 Anjali Pathak
YR 2008
UL http://www.cfp.ca/content/54/3/394.abstract
AB OBJECTIVE To explore the experiences and perceptions of postmenopausal women regarding strategies to improve adherence to osteoporosis therapy. DESIGN Qualitative, mixed phenomenologic study using focus groups. SETTING Family physicians’ and specialists’ practices and community pharmacies in Hamilton, Ont. PARTICIPANTS A total of 37 postmenopausal women currently taking at least 1 prescription or over-the-counter medication for osteoporosis. METHOD Focus groups were conducted using a semistructured interview guide consisting of 10 open-ended questions about patients’ perceptions of their osteoporosis medications, their reasons for adherence and non-adherence to therapy, and the effectiveness of strategies they had tried to improve adherence. At least 2 research team members analyzed the data to find primary themes. MAIN FINDINGS Analysis of data from the 7 focus groups found 6 main factors that influenced adherence to medications: belief in the importance of taking medications for osteoporosis, medication-specific factors, beliefs regarding medications and health, relationships with health care providers, information exchange, and strategies to improve adherence. Strategies that facilitated adherence to medications included having a system for taking medications, using cues or reminders, being well informed about the reasons for taking medications, and having regular follow-up by health care providers for support and monitoring after having been prescribed medications. CONCLUSION Results of this study provide a better understanding of how patients’ perceptions and experiences affect their adherence to osteoporosis medications. Because each patient’s reasons for non-adherence might be different, depending on individual beliefs or circumstances, strategies to improve adherence to medications should be individualized accordingly.