Evaluation of treatment adherence and illness perception in cardiology patients

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the cardiology patients' illness perception on their medication adherence will guide in the development of training and consultancy strategies.

The study was conducted with 110 patients who were followed up in the cardiology clinics of a university hospital. The study included patients over the age of 18 years, who agreed to participate in the study and were diagnosed with a cardiovascular disease at least six months before. The data were collected using a patient information form questioning the subjects such as the patients' age, gender, marital status and economic condition, the Illness Perception Questionnaire and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale.

The results showed that 72.7% (n=80) of the group had forgotten to take their medicine, 38.2% (n=42) had a trouble remembering to take their medicine, 29.1% (n=32) stopped taking their medicine when they felt good and 32.7% (n=36) stopped taking their medicine because they sometimes felt bad after taking their medicine. It was determined that there was no statistically significant correlation between Morisky Medication Adherence Scale scores and Illness Perception Questionnaire subscale scores (P >0.05). It was determined that there was a statistically significant difference between the educational backgrounds, in terms of the personal control subscale mean scores (P=0.003; P<0.01).

Patients try to explain their disease in the light of their personal experiences, knowledge, values, beliefs, and needs. Illness perception which is among the most important factors providing treatment adherence is an important factor affecting many areas from the person's psychological adaptation to the course of disease. Illness perception and treatment adherence are affected by educational level.