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Descriptive study of homeless patients' perceptions that affect medication adherence
Matthew J Richler1, Sara Yousaf2, Stephen W Hwang3
1St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada, and Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Summary
Homeless patients hospitalized value medications for health but worry about side effects. Addressing these concerns can improve medication adherence in this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Medical Sociology
- Health Services Research
- Qualitative Health Research
Background:
- Homeless populations face significant barriers to healthcare access and adherence to prescribed medications.
- Medication nonadherence among homeless individuals is linked to increased emergency department visits, prolonged hospital stays, and higher healthcare expenditures.
- Understanding patient perceptions is crucial for developing effective interventions to improve health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs of hospitalized homeless patients regarding their prescribed medications.
- To identify factors influencing medication adherence and nonadherence in this population.
- To inform the development of targeted interventions to improve medication management.
Main Methods:
- A qualitative descriptive study utilizing semistructured interviews with hospitalized homeless patients.
- Interviews focused on views and attitudes toward medication use and nonadherence.
- Conventional qualitative content analysis was employed to identify data-driven themes.
Main Results:
- Twelve interviews were conducted with hospitalized homeless patients (median age 48.5 years).
- A majority of participants resided in shelters and had a mental illness diagnosis.
- Key themes included a newfound appreciation for medications, perception of medications as essential for health, interest in medication education, and concerns about adverse effects.
Conclusions:
- Hospitalized homeless patients generally perceive medications as necessary for health but express concerns about potential adverse effects.
- Interventions aimed at addressing treatment-related concerns, such as side effects and education, hold promise for improving medication adherence.
- Future research should focus on patient-centered strategies to support medication management in homeless populations.
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