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Date of Award

2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Department

Nursing

Thesis Committee Chairperson

Diane Ryan, PhD, ANP-BC, FNP-BC, GNP-BC, CNE

Abstract

Medication non-compliance is common among adults and often leads to serious illnesses, complications, emergency rooms visits and hospitalizations. An extensive review of literature was conducted which focused on perception, knowledge, attitudes and behavior regarding medication compliance. Numerous research conducted assess a of variety interventions to improve compliance. However, few studies were conducted from a nursing perspective that identifies contributing factors influencing medication non-compliance in young adults. A quantitative, descriptive, non-experimental design was utilized to describe the frequency of factors related to medication non-compliance. The Nola Pender’s Health Promotion Model (HPM) was used as a theoretical framework for this study. Penders’ HPM helps to inspire people towards positive motivations and understanding the importance of health promoting behaviors. Pender’s HPM provides a framework that can be used by health care providers to identify the factors which interfere with people’s ability to maintain compliance to prescribed regimen.

A self-developed questionnaire was designed for this study and distributed to participants who met the inclusion criteria. The survey was composed of specific questions related to demographics and medication noncompliance. Descriptive statistics were utilized to analyze the data by evaluating frequency and percentage distribution. A self-developed questionnaire was completed by 54 adults between age 45-65 years old living in the United States. The results of the study indicated that the majority of respondents recognized the importance of maintaining compliance to a prescribed regimen. Moreover, the results of the study indicated that the majority of respondents expressed health care providers’ positive influence on their medication compliance. The decisions to adhere or not to adhere to a prescribe regimen are individual choices, but health care providers should continue to encourage and counsel their patients on the benefits of medication compliance. Recommendations for the study include replication of the study using a larger sample from a more diverse geographic area. In addition, a qualitative study with open-ended questions would be beneficial to gain insight on various strategies and interventions implemented. Qualitative research will also be helpful to identify health care providers’ (physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners) perspectives on medication compliance. Health care providers need to be familiar with different investigation methods of non-compliance. Another recommendation would be to examine the relationship between medication non-compliance and medical diagnoses. The results of the study will be shared with health care professionals and graduate nurse practitioner students at Daemen College.

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