Chronic disease medication management at home: a quantitative survey among 180 patients

In France, 40% of people aged >16 years (20 million) report having at least one chronic disease requiring long-term treatment. Compliance with treatment at home is estimated to be 50% on average.

To study the practical management of oral treatments at home by people living with one or more chronic diseases.

A quantitative, descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study. Thirty GPs in France were invited by email to enrol 10 consecutive patients with chronic diseases.

Standardised questionnaires were used to assess the sociodemographic profile of doctors and patients, and the management of oral medication at home.

Twenty GPs collected 180 questionnaires of which 70% responders said they did not find taking their medication a problem; 43% used a pillbox; 79% said they knew 'all' their medications; and 61% reported forgetting to take their medication (versus 30% who reported never forgetting to take their medication).

More than half of patients are non-adherent to taking oral medication at home for their long-term conditions. Personalised reminders could reduce unintentional medication non-adherence.