title: Identifying eHealth Opportunities to Support Medication Adherence - Findings of a Focus Group Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among New Zealand (NZ) indigenous people (Māori) is well recognized. A major challenge to CVD risk management is to improve adherence to long-term medications.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To elicit patients' and providers' perspectives on how to support Māori with high CVD risk and low medication adherence to achieve better adherence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Analysis of electronic health records (EHR) of four NZ general practices identified medication adherence status of Māori patients with high CVD risk (≥15%, 5-year). A random sample of these patients participated in focus group discussions on barriers to long-term medication adherence. Their primary care providers also participated in separate focus groups on the same topic.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A range of factors are identified influencing adherence behaviour, including patient's medication knowledge, patient-doctor communication effectiveness and cost.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Analysis of barriers to medication adherence in primary care suggests opportunities for health information technology to improve adherence, including patient education, decision support, clinician training and self-service facilities.
authors.affiliation: Stockton University, Galloway, New Jersey, United States of America.
authors.forename: Yulong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.affiliation: University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kennely
authors.affiliation: University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Warren
authors.affiliation: University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Amelia Been
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.affiliation: University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Matire
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harwood
authors.affiliation: University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Pat
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Neuwelt
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000208:ethnology; D057286:Electronic Health Records; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D055118:Medication Adherence; D009520:New Zealand; D017216:Telemedicine