title: Examining medication adherence in older women with coronary heart disease.
abstract: The purposes of this study were to examine medication adherence in older women with coronary heart disease and to identify barriers and facilitators of medication adherence.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study used a semistructured interview guide and established measures to examine medication taking 3 months after hospital discharge.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-two women completed the study: 65.6% were adherent to medications, but others were less adherent and self-modified their therapy. Over half (52.1%) suffered side effects, 71.9% had experienced psychological barriers, and all had economic barriers. Facilitators included a pillbox system (85%) and discharge medication counseling (90%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tailored interventions to improve adherence in older women are needed.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA. dswest@olemiss.edu
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: West
authors.forename: Leanne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lefler
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Franks
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015897:Comorbidity; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D016387:Women's Health; D016903:Drug Monitoring