Patients' adherence to osteoporosis therapy: exploring the perceptions of postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the experiences and perceptions of postmenopausal women regarding strategies to improve adherence to osteoporosis therapy.


METHODS
Qualitative, mixed phenomenologic study using focus groups.


METHODS
Family physicians' and specialists' practices and community pharmacies in Hamilton, Ont.


METHODS
A total of 37 postmenopausal women currently taking at least 1 prescription or over-the-counter medication for osteoporosis.


METHODS
Focus groups were conducted using a semistructured interview guide consisting of 10 open-ended questions about patients' perceptions of their osteoporosis medications, their reasons for adherence and non-adherence to therapy, and the effectiveness of strategies they had tried to improve adherence. At least 2 research team members analyzed the data to find primary themes.


RESULTS
Analysis of data from the 7 focus groups found 6 main factors that influenced adherence to medications: belief in the importance of taking medications for osteoporosis, medication-specific factors, beliefs regarding medications and health, relationships with health care providers, information exchange, and strategies to improve adherence. Strategies that facilitated adherence to medications included having a system for taking medications, using cues or reminders, being well informed about the reasons for taking medications, and having regular follow-up by health care providers for support and monitoring after having been prescribed medications.


CONCLUSIONS
Results of this study provide a better understanding of how patients' perceptions and experiences affect their adherence to osteoporosis medications. Because each patient's reasons for non-adherence might be different, depending on individual beliefs or circumstances, strategies to improve adherence to medications should be individualized accordingly.
Lau
Elaine
E
Department of Pharmacy, Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada. elaine.lau@sickkids.ca
Papaioannou
Alexandra
A
Dolovich
Lisa
L
Adachi
Jonathan
J
Sawka
Anna M
AM
Burns
Sheri
S
Nair
Kalpana
K
Pathak
Anjali
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003142:Communication; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents