title: Situational challenges that impact health adherence in vulnerable populations.
abstract: This pilot study identified situations related to lifestyle conditions and/or patient rationales that motivated or discouraged military veterans from adhering to prescribed therapies. Adherence to recommendations associated with medication, diet, and exercise enhanced self-management of their chronic disease. Nurses need to understand adherent behavior and roadblocks to adherence in order to produce successful health outcomes. Individual, face-to-face interviews with 30 subjects from the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in the South Central United States VAMC primary care and specialty clinics were analyzed using a descriptive, qualitative approach. Analysis for treatment adherence revealed six themes: forgetfulness/unintentional omission, intentional omission-personal judgment to discontinue or alter, routine/reminders, diet deviation, exercise routine and exercise deviation. Adherence in health care is extremely important but not always predictable because of a client's individual situation and lifestyle. This study offers interesting insights to adherent and non-adherent behavior.
authors.affiliation: University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, College of Nursing-Tulsa, USA. maryann-pascucci@ouhsc.edu
authors.forename: Mary Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Pascucci
authors.forename: A Renee
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Leasure
authors.forename: Dorothy C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Belknap
authors.forename: Elsie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kodumthara
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007600:Judgment; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009825:Oklahoma; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010865:Pilot Projects; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014728:Veterans / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data