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Medication adherence among the elderly: applying grounded theory approach in a developing country
Peivand Bastani1, Parisa Bikineh2, Gholamhossein Mehralian3
1Health Human Resources Research Center, School of Management and Medical Information Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice
|July 1, 2021
Summary
Understanding medication adherence in the elderly is crucial for health outcomes and costs. This study identified factors influencing medication adherence among Iranian elderly using grounded theory.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Social Sciences
- Health Management
Background:
- Medication adherence significantly impacts elderly health, quality of life, and healthcare costs.
- Understanding adherence challenges is vital for effective elderly care strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a comprehensive model of medication adherence specific to the Iranian elderly population.
- To identify key factors influencing medication-taking behaviors in older adults.
Main Methods:
- Grounded theory approach (Strauss and Corbin, 2004) was employed.
- Data triangulation utilized semi-structured interviews, observations, field notes, and memoing.
- Qualitative data analysis involved open, selective, and axial coding.
Main Results:
- Factors contributing to medication non-adherence include doubt, fear of complications, poor physician communication, and negative influences from others.
- Patient-related factors like lack of knowledge, insufficient education, lifestyle, living conditions, and social pressures exacerbate non-adherence.
- Systemic issues such as lack of supervision, inadequate support, market-driven behaviors, inconvenience, stress, hopelessness, and misunderstanding also worsen adherence problems.
Conclusions:
- A context-specific model for medication adherence among Iranian elderly was developed.
- Addressing medication adherence requires comprehensive management and planning of influencing factors.
- Interventions necessitate cooperation across all levels of the health system, from national policy to individual patient care.
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