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Exploring factors influencing initiation, implementation and discontinuation of medications in adults with ADHD
- Source :
- Health Expectations, Vol 24, Iss S1, Pp 82-94 (2021), Health Expectations : An International Journal of Public Participation in Health Care and Health Policy
- Publication Year :
- 2021
- Publisher :
- Wiley, 2021.
-
Abstract
- Background Adherence to ADHD medication is a complex phenomenon as the decision to adhere is influenced by a range of factors. To design tailored interventions to promote adherence, it is important to understand the factors that influence adherence in the context of its three phases: initiation, implementation and discontinuation. Objective The objective of this study was to explore the phase‐specific factors that influence adherence to medication in adults who have a diagnosis of ADHD. Methods Three focus groups (FGs) were conducted with twenty adults with ADHD in different metropolitan areas of Sydney, Australia. FGs were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. Results Participants’ decision to initiate medication (the initiation phase) was influenced by their perceived needs (desire to improve academic and social functioning) and concerns (fear of side‐effects) about medication following a similar process as defined by the Necessity‐Concerns Framework (NCF). The balance between benefits of medication (needs) and side‐effects (concerns) continued to determine participants’ daily medication‐taking (the implementation phase) and persistence (or discontinuation) with their medication. Forgetfulness and stigma were reported as concerns negatively impacting the implementation phase, while medication cost and dependence influenced the discontinuation phase of adherence. Conclusions Adults’ decision to initiate, continue or discontinue medication is influenced by a range of factors; some are unique to each phase while some are common across the phases. Participants balanced the needs for the medication against their concerns in determining whether to adhere to medication at each phase. It appears that the NCF has applicability when decision making about medication is explored at the three phases of adherence.
- Subjects :
- Adult
medicine.medical_specialty
Medicine (General)
Social Stigma
Medication Adherence
03 medical and health sciences
Cognition
0302 clinical medicine
R5-920
Medication cost
Special Issue Paper
medicine
adults
Humans
ADHD
030212 general & internal medicine
adherence
Psychiatry
implementation
Social functioning
Special Issue Papers
business.industry
030503 health policy & services
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Focus group
initiation
Discontinuation
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity
Special Issue on Mental Health
qualitative
Tailored interventions
focus groups
Public aspects of medicine
RA1-1270
0305 other medical science
business
discontinuation
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 13696513 and 13697625
- Volume :
- 24
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Health Expectations
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....d5f940e899216a6c4b33f12806c5f1a3