Self-reported medication adherence for heart failure is associated with lower risk of all-cause hospitalisation and death

Medication adherence in adults after hospitalization for heart failure: A cross-sectional study

Background

Medication non-adherence in heart failure (HF) leads to increased mortality, morbidity and healthcare costs. However, no study has investigated HF patients' post-hospitalization medication non-adherence in Switzerland.

Objectives

Our primary aim was to assess the prevalence of post-discharge medication non-adherence in patients with HF. A secondary objective was to identify differences between fully and partially adherent patients regarding selected unplanned therapy-related inpatient/outpatient cardiology visits.

Methods

A non-experimental cross-sectional study was applied. The prevalence of medication adherence was assessed with a German-translated version of the Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-5) and analyzed descriptively. Differences between adherent and partially adherent patients' numbers of medications, dosing per day and 180-day unplanned inpatient stays or cardiology outpatient visits were explored.

Results

Of 153 recruited patients, 72 participated in the survey. Of these, 26.4 % were not fully adherent. Their most common reason was forgetfulness (23.7 %). There were no significant group differences regarding therapy-related variables or 180-day unplanned cardiology stays/visits.

Conclusions

Considering that over one-quarter of surveyed HF patients were not fully medication adherent, Swiss cardiology nurses need to be sensitized to this issue and trained in adherence-enhancing interventions. Reaching acceptable adherence levels in patients with HF will require further research and action.

Nursing students' perceived consequences of self-medication: a qualitative study

Background

Self-medication associates with many problems and complications, and is considered as a global health issue. Regarding a lack of information about perception of nursing students, as a part of healthcare workers, in this issue, the current study was aimed to explore the perceived consequences of self-medication from the perspective of nursing students.

Methods

This qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured individual face-to-face interviews. Purposeful sampling method was used for selection of participants. Twelve nursing students in the age range of 21–36 years were enrolled. Five participants were male and seven were female, seven master’s degree and five were undergraduate of bachelor degree. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed as content analyses.

Results

Two categories and seven sub-categories were emerged from the data analysis. The main categories included; positive consequences and negative consequences, and subcategories included; time saving, cost savings, disease treatment, harming the health system, drug resistance, physical complications and death.

Conclusion

The participants believed that self-medication has some positive and negative consequences in viewpoints of nursing students. Regarding, Self-medication that potentially has dangerous consequences, it is suggested the students will be educated and warned about the adverse effects of self-medication, and the nursing teachers should try to rectify students’ misconceptions about self-medication.