Barriers and facilitators to medication adherence: a qualitative study with general practitioners

Abstract

Background: General practitioners (GPs) manage the drug therapies of people with chronic diseases, and poor adherence to medication remains a major challenge.

Objective: This qualitative study examined GPs' insights into non-adherence and ways of overcoming this problem.

Methods: We ran four focus groups comprising 16 GPs at the Kirkkonummi Health Centre (Southern Finland). Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and analysed by inductive content analysis.

Main results: The two main themes in the discussions with the GPs were non-adherence in the care of chronic disease and increased need for medicine information. The medication management challenges identified were related to: patient-specific factors, the healthcare system, characteristics of drug therapies and the function and role of healthcare professionals as a team. To improve the situation, the GPs offered a number of solutions: improved coordination of care, better patient education and IT systems as well as enhanced interprofessional involvement in the follow-up of patients.

Discussion and conclusions: With an ageing population, the GPs were increasingly confronted with non-adherence in the care of chronic diseases. They had mostly a positive attitude towards organising care in a more interprofessional manner. To support medication adherence and self-management, the GPs appreciated pharmacists' assistance especially with patients with polypharmacy and chronic diseases.

Keywords: general practitioner; inter-professional; medication adherence; pharmacist; qualitative research.