Patient Perspectives on Factors Influencing Medication Adherence Among People with Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) and CHD Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: Few qualitative studies have explored factors influencing medication adherence among people with coronary heart disease (CHD) or CHD risk factors. We explored how factors related to the patient (e.g. self-efficacy), social/economic conditions (e.g. social support and cost of medications), therapy (e.g. side effects), health condition (e.g. comorbidities), and the healthcare system/healthcare team (e.g. support from healthcare providers and pharmacy access) influence medication adherence, based on the World Health Organization Multidimensional Adherence Model (WHO-MAM). METHODS: We conducted 18 in-depth qualitative interviews from April to July 2018 with ambulatory care patients aged ≥45 years (8 black men, 5 black women, 2 white men, and 3 white women) who were using medications for diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and/or CHD. We used thematic analysis to analyze the data, and sub-themes emerged within each WHO-MAM dimension. FINDINGS: Patient-related factors included beliefs about medications as important for self and faith; the desire to follow the advice of family, friends, and influential others; and self-efficacy. Social/economic factors included observations of social network members and information received from them; social support for medication adherence and pharmacy utilization; and economic influences. Therapy-related barriers included side effects and medicine schedules. Only a few participants mentioned condition-related factors. Healthcare system/healthcare team-related factors included support from doctors and pharmacists; and ease of pharmacy access and utilization. CONCLUSION: These results underscore the need for multidimensional interventions aimed at improving medication adherence and overall health of patients with CHD and CHD risk factors.