Adherence to coronary artery disease secondary prevention medicines: exploring modifiable barriers

What is it about?

Medicines taking behaviour varies between patients. Some have bad experience in taking medicines while others have no problems. Some forget to take their medicines and other may decide to intentionally not take them. This study attempted to explore the experience in taking medicines among patients with heart disease (Coronary heart disease in specific). Using a self-report tool the researchers asked over 500 patients to share their medicines-taking experience of medicines which were prescribed to reduce the risk of having heart attacks. The study identified several important issues: 1) That it is possible to use a simple questionnaire in clinic in which we ask patients about their medicines-taking experience. 2) The findings of this questionnaire can help healthcare professionals to know what issues or needs patients require support with. This will give patients a better chance to benefit from their medicines and reduce any harm these medicines can cause. 3) patients main problems with their medicines seem to be: forgetting to take them, being concerned about the side effects of these medicines, and having practical problems (e.g. problems getting repeat prescriptions). The study teaches us that if we use the right questionnaire in clinic, we can identify many of the issues that patients face with their medicines. This in turn will enable healthcare professionals to better support patients and help them maximise benefit and reduce harm from their heart medicines.

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