Communication Predicts Medication Self-Efficacy in Glaucoma Patients

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Health Communication
• Patient Adherence

Background:

• Medication self-efficacy is crucial for glaucoma medication adherence.
• Enhancing medication self-efficacy in glaucoma patients remains an area needing further research.
• Effective patient-provider communication strategies are key to improving patient confidence in managing chronic conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if enhanced patient-provider communication improves medication self-efficacy in glaucoma patients.
• To identify specific communication behaviors that positively impact patients' confidence in managing glaucoma medications.

Main Methods:

• An 8-month cohort study involving 279 glaucoma patients and 15 providers.
• Videotaped and transcribed office visits to code communication behaviors.
• Validated scales assessed adherence barriers self-efficacy and eye drop task self-efficacy at baseline and follow-up.

Main Results:

• Increased provider education on treatment topics correlated with higher adherence barriers self-efficacy.
• Providers inquiring about patient views on glaucoma and treatment significantly increased eye drop task self-efficacy.
• Higher patient medication questions and identifying as African-American were associated with lower adherence barriers self-efficacy.
• Female patients reported lower eye drop task self-efficacy compared to male patients.

Conclusions:

• Provider education and assessing patient perspectives enhance glaucoma medication self-efficacy.
• Healthcare providers should recognize that frequent patient questions may indicate lower self-efficacy in managing adherence barriers.
• Targeted communication strategies can improve patient confidence and adherence in glaucoma management.