Adherence to medication: measurements and cognitions

Abstract

1. Aims The aim of the symposium is twofold. It will focus on ways to measure medication adherence, and on predictors/determinants of (non)-adherence. It is essential to find consensus on how adherence is measured/assessed, and to identify cognitions and determinants involved in (non)-adherence. 2. Rationale Adherence to medication is essential to control diseases, and to delay disease progression. Across studies, prevalences of adherence range from 40% to 90%. The variety of instruments used, either self-reports or objective measures, may explain this wide variety. The complexity of ‘what really encompasses’ medication adherence, makes it difficult to capture whether someone should be characterized as adherent or not. It is therefore important to identify existing instruments which measure adherence, and to clarify which measurements are most suitable in measuring medication adherence. As non-adherence is related to disease worsening and early mortality, it is important to identify why some people are, and some aren’t adherent. Therefore it is essential to identify predictors/determinants of (non)-adherence. 3. Summary The symposium consists of five oral presentations, preceding a symposium discussion by Professor Marijn de Bruin. The chair of the symposium will be Professor Hein de Vries. The oral presentations will either focus on one of the main themes (measurements or cognitions), of will combine both themes. McAdam-Marx will focus on factors influencing adherence, as on objective versus subjective measures used to assess medication adherence. Molloy will focus on conscientiousness and mechanisms involved in adherence to oral contraceptives. Mellon will present a study which compares a self-developed adherence instrument to the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Dijk will focus on planning and health literacy in relation to adherence. Vluggen will combine two studies on adherence to diabetes medication: a qualitative study on beliefs and cognitions involved in adherence, and a quantitative study comparing adherence to oral antidiabetics and insulin.