Implementation Intention to Improve Medication Adherence Behaviors in Patients With Heart Failure

Abstract

Background: Patients’ sub-optimal medication taking behavior with respect to their therapeutic regimen leads to poorer clinical outcomes and quality of life, and generates economic loss. The implementation which explains where, when and how to act in a situation encountered, could be a solution to this problem. Method: In a randomized control study, we will test the effect of the implementation intention on medication adherence problems in 50 patients with heart failure. After choosing the daily barriers they encounter among a list of the barriers to medication adherence, participants in the experimental group will form an implementation intention by finding their own solution, which takes the form of "if I encounter the situation X, then I will do Y". Medication adherence will be measure with self-report questionnaires. Findings: The result show that medication adherence of the participants in the intervention group will be improved 1 month after the implementation intention. Discussion: Thus, it could be an effective mean to improve treatment compliance. It could be easy to administer by the psychologists or health care professionals, as part of the educational monitoring.