Patients' problems with new medication for chronic conditions

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology and Patient Adherence
• Chronic Disease Management
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Starting new medication for chronic conditions presents challenges for patients.
• Understanding patient adherence, medication issues, and information needs is crucial for effective chronic disease management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess patient adherence to new chronic medications.
• To identify reasons for non-adherence, including intentional vs. unintentional factors.
• To evaluate patient-reported problems and information needs regarding their new medication.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal survey involving 258 patients from 23 community pharmacies in South East England.
• Data collected via semi-structured telephone interviews and postal questionnaires at 10 days and 4 weeks.
• Inclusion criteria: patients starting new chronic medication, aged 75+, or with specific chronic conditions (stroke, CHD, asthma, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis).

Main Results:

• Non-adherence was observed in 30% at 10 days and 25% at 4 weeks.
• Approximately half of non-adherence was intentional at both time points.
• 66% reported medication problems at 10 days, and 51-61% expressed ongoing information needs at 4 weeks.

Conclusions:

• A significant number of patients become non-adherent to new chronic medications shortly after initiation, with intentional non-adherence being common.
• Patients frequently encounter problems and have substantial information needs, highlighting a gap in current support.
• Enhanced patient support and potentially new service models are necessary for individuals starting chronic medications.