| Description |
The problem of poor compliance to medication regimens is significant in health care because it is a fundamental part of treatment in Western medicine. External barriers to compliance include financial constraints, language or other communication problems, issues surrounding patient education and culture, and depression. In order to collect information regarding individual perceptions on compliance, a qualitative approach was determined to be the most appropriate research methodological approach. The overall purpose of this qualitative study was to increase the knowledge base about perspectives of patients who are part of an underserved population regarding the treatment of their chronic illness with medications. The study consisted of semi-structured interviews, and content analysis was used to analyze the data. An interview method was selected because the research anticipated that each patient would come with his/her own paradigms and health beliefs. Individuals recruited for the study included those with chronic illnesses comprising diabetes, asthma, and hypertension. Participants were selected from a local community health center. From the 9 participants, 15 chronic illnesses were represented. Mean yearly income was $10,300. The participants of this study viewed themselves as compliant with their medication regimens as they were doing what they could to feel well, in spite of facing many barriers. Factors that may have affected participants' compliance with their treatment regimens were identified: deficient finances, health literacy (or a persons' inability to perform basic reading and numerical tasks required to function in the health care environment), a focus on symptom management rather than preventative measures, difficulties during times of change, and participant's attitude. Helping patients overcome the barriers they face, as they approach their medication regimen starts with understanding each patient's personal experiences and paradigm. Although patients are ultimately responsible for their own health care, the providers who attend to them should work to gain a patient perspective on recommended treatments rather than simply applying the concept and assumptions inherent in the construct noncompliance. |
