Hypertensive patients' experience with adherence therapy for enhancing medication compliance: a qualitative exploration

Aims and objectives To investigate the experience of non‐compliant hypertensive patients who had received seven sessions of adherence therapy (AT) as part of a randomised controlled trial. Background AT is a patient‐centred approach used to explore patient attitudes, beliefs and discrepancy toward medications that aimed to enhance patients' medication‐taking behaviour. Design Qualitative analysis of semi‐structured interviews with patients who had completed an AT intervention. Methods A convenience sample of 10 hypertensive patients who received AT as part of an exploratory randomised controlled trial (ISRCTN99494659) were included. Thematic analysis of semi‐structured interviews exploring patient's views and experiences of AT was used. Results Five major themes of AT emerged; modifying attitudes and beliefs, positive impact on self efficacy, therapist motivation, positive impact on well‐being and a well‐designed intervention. Conclusions patients' views about the benefit of AT were entirely consistent with our proposed mechanism of action for this intervention; that is by improving patient's beliefs and attitudes regarding taking drugs, and finding solutions to barriers that prevent adherence, patients become more complaint with their medication which in turn has a positive impact on clinical outcomes [i.e. blood pressure, hypertension complication (stroke, myocardial infarction, and recurrent hospitalisation)]. Relevance to clinical practice Exploring patients' experience with AT and recognising these five elements help in tailoring a new effective strategy according to individual needs for enhancing adherence to prescribed drugs.