N511 Module 1: Discussion Question- Why Patients are Noncompliant with Prescribed Medications
N511 Module 1: Discussion Question- Why Patients are Noncompliant with Prescribed Medications
Why Patients are Noncompliant with Prescribed Medications Discussion Question:
What are some of the reasons why patients are noncompliant with prescribed medications? Provide at least three reasons. Then, select one medication and discuss causes and consequences of noncompliance and possible solutions. Locate at least one scholarly website or video that discusses the medication.
Your initial posting should be 200 to 300 words in length and utilize at least one scholarly source other than the textbook. Please reply to at least two classmates. Replies to classmates should be at least 100 words in length. To properly “thread” your discussion posting, please click on REPLY.
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You are responsible for minimally at least 3 posts for each question in your discussion boards; your initial post and reply to two of your classmates. Your initial post(s) should be your response to the questions posed in the Discussion Question. You should research your answer and cite at least one scholarly source when appropriate, and always use quality writing. The discussion board is never a place to use text language or emoticons. You will also be asked to respond to your classmates. This is designed to enhance the academic discussion around the topic. It is all right to disagree with something posted by another, however your responses should always be thoughtful and respectful and reflect your opinions professionally.
N511 Module 1: Discussion Question- Why Patients are Noncompliant with Prescribed Medications
Medication management for individuals with both acute and chronic illnesses is important. However, not all individuals remain compliant with their medications for several reasons. Three reasons as to why patients are noncompliant with prescribed medications include the cost of the medications, adverse reactions to medications, and inadequate follow up with providers.
Cost of medications is a big factor in medication compliance. A study conducted by Jae Kennedy PhD and Christopher Erb BA entitled Prescription Noncompliance due to Cost Among Adults with Disabilities in the United States (2011) utilized a case-control design to examine prescription noncompliance due to cost. The study found that adults with disabilities reported cost as being a reason for their noncompliance. Because of the cost of the medication, these individuals did not get their prescription filled, did not fill their prescription completely, did not refill their prescription, or did not use their medication as prescribed (Kennedy & Erb, 2011). The study also examined individual incomes and noted that those who fell below the poverty level were at a higher risk for cost-associated noncompliance versus those who had incomes above the poverty level (Kennedy & Erb, 2011). Because of noncompliance with medications, these individuals place themselves at a higher risk for health and illness related complications. Aside from costs, some patients may be noncompliant with medication due to the side effects of the medications.
All medications have possible adverse reactions. Because of these negative side effects, patients may be less likely to take their medications if they notice changes in the way that they feel or look. For example, a common side effect of antipsychotic medications includes weight gain. Weight gain from medication can cause distress for the patient therefore leading to medication noncompliance (Mitchell & Selmes, 2007). Another side effect of antipsychotic medications includes sexual dysfunction. Sexual health is extremely important to individuals and those who felt that their psychiatric medications were causing sexual side effects openly admitted that they had stopped using their medication at some point because of this adverse reaction (Mitchell & Selmes, 2007). As a healthcare provider, it is important to have open communication with patients regarding medication management. Inadequate follow up by providers is also a reason as to why patients are noncompliant with medications.
Having good communication is beneficial for both patients and providers. “Physician’s communication styles during follow-up and client satisfaction were both predictive of better medication adherence (Mitchell & Selmes, 2007). Having good communication means forming a good joint therapeutic relationship that includes patient involvement (Mitchell & Selmes, 2007). Especially for patients with psychiatric illnesses, it is crucial for doctors to create a good and trusting relationship. In creating a trusting relationship, it is important for physicians to be aware of the information that they are giving their patients. Patients often have difficulty understanding medical words and those who have poor insight, such as psychiatric patients, are unlikely to retain information during extensive dialogue (Mitchell & Selmes, 2007). By having good communication, patients will feel more at ease when talking with the physicians, improve overall patient satisfaction, and increase compliance with medications. Although medication compliance is important with all medications, specific medications need to be taken every day at a specific time in order to sustain life. Medication that falls into this category is anti-rejection medications for transplant patients such as Mycophenalate mofetil.
The reasons for medication noncompliance for transplant patients are similar to the reasons that individuals commonly do not take their medications. These include lower economic status, cost of medications, and dissatisfaction with the health information given by their providers. However other factors play into post transplant patient noncompliance with medication including levels of depression, non-adherence status in the pre-transplant period, less perceived severity of the disease, and lack of positive attitude toward medications (Adhikari et. al, 2017). With transplant patients, it is especially important to be on a medication regimen. This medication regimen includes anti-rejection medications such as Mycophenolate Mofetil (Cellcept). Cellcept is an immunosuppressant drug (American College of Rheumatology, 2018). Mycophenolate is typically taken twice a day and requires lab monitoring to ensure proper blood counts and liver function (American College of Rheumatology, 2018). Individuals who do not take their prescribed immunosuppressant drugs are more likely to suffer from rejection of their transplanted organ. In order to ensure that post transplant patients are taking their medications properly, it is important for health care providers to have open communication and ensure that the patient has a good support system after leaving the hospital. As mentioned before, patients are more likely to be compliant with their medications when they are satisfied with the care from their providers. Physicians should maintain open communication with their patients after transplant and explain the importance of medication compliance in a way that they can understand. It is also important for these patients to have a good support system once they leave the hospital. The support person can be a family member, significant other, or friend who is willing to keep the patient accountable for taking their medications and even remind the patient occasionally to maintain a schedule. By ensuring that the patient has all the proper resources, he or she is more likely to be successful in taking medications and taking care of their newly transplanted organ.
In conclusions, there are many reasons as to why patients refuse or are noncompliant with their medications. Reasons include cost of the medication, adverse reactions, and a lack of follow-up or communication by the primary physicians. By giving patients the proper resources to be successful in taking their medications and managing their health, patients will be more likely to stick to their regimen and have an overall better quality of life.
References
Adhikari, U., Taraphder, A., Hazra, A., & Das, T. (2017). Medication adherence in kidney transplant recipients in an urban Indian setting. Indian Journal of Nephrology, 27(4), 294. doi:10.4103/0971-4065.202835
American College of Rheumatology. (2018). Mycophenolate Mofetil & Mycophenolate Sodium. Retrieved from https://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Treatments/Mycophenolate-Mofetil-Mycophenolate-Sodium
Kennedy, J., & Erb, C. (2002). Prescription noncompliance due to cost among adults with disabilities in the United States. American Journal of Public Health, 92(7), 1120-1124. doi:10.2105/ajph.92.7.1120
Mitchell, A. J., & Selmes, T. (2007). Why don’t patients take their medicine? Reasons and solutions in psychiatry. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 13(5), 336-346. doi:10.1192/apt.bp.106.0031
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