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- Title
Patients' adherence to osteoporosis therapy: exploring the perceptions of postmenopausal women.
- Authors
Lau E; Papaioannou A; Dolovich L; Adachi J; Sawka AM; Burns S; Nair K; Pathak A; Lau, Elaine; Papaioannou, Alexandra; Dolovich, Lisa; Adachi, Jonathan; Sawka, Anna M; Burns, Sheri; Nair, Kalpana; Pathak, Anjali
- Abstract
<bold>Objective: </bold>To explore the experiences and perceptions of postmenopausal women regarding strategies to improve adherence to osteoporosis therapy.<bold>Design: </bold>Qualitative, mixed phenomenologic study using focus groups.<bold>Setting: </bold>Family physicians' and specialists' practices and community pharmacies in Hamilton, Ont.<bold>Participants: </bold>A total of 37 postmenopausal women currently taking at least 1 prescription or over-the-counter medication for osteoporosis.<bold>Method: </bold>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.<bold>Main Findings: </bold>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.<bold>Conclusion: </bold>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.
- Publication
Canadian Family Physician / Médecin de Famille Canadien, 2008, Vol 54, Issue 3, p394
- ISSN
0008-350X
- Publication type
journal article