Situational challenges that impact health adherence in vulnerable populations.

Abstract

This pilot study identified situations related to lifestyle conditions and/or patient rationales that motivated or discouraged military veterans from adhering to prescribed therapies. Adherence to recommendations associated with medication, diet, and exercise enhanced self-management of their chronic disease. Nurses need to understand adherent behavior and roadblocks to adherence in order to produce successful health outcomes. Individual, face-to-face interviews with 30 subjects from the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in the South Central United States VAMC primary care and specialty clinics were analyzed using a descriptive, qualitative approach. Analysis for treatment adherence revealed six themes: forgetfulness/unintentional omission, intentional omission-personal judgment to discontinue or alter, routine/reminders, diet deviation, exercise routine and exercise deviation. Adherence in health care is extremely important but not always predictable because of a client's individual situation and lifestyle. This study offers interesting insights to adherent and non-adherent behavior.