Perspective and Experience of Patients with Aplastic Anemia on Medication Adherence

Hangting Li,1,* Xiaolian Wu,1,* Jiaoni Shen,2 Shuhui Lou2 1Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Nursing, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Shuhui Lou, School of Nursing, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 548 Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, People’s Republic of China, Email loushh@zcmu.edu.cnBackground: Drug treatment is critical for patients with aplastic anemia, and medication adherence directly impacts the therapeutic effect. Poor medication adherence is common among patients with chronic diseases. However, knowledge of the perceptions and experiences of patients with aplastic anemia regarding taking prescribed medicines is limited.Objective: To gain insights into the perceptions and experiences of patients with aplastic anemia regarding taking prescribed medicines.Methods: A descriptive qualitative design was used. Fifteen patients with aplastic anemia were recruited from the hematology department. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted. The data were analyzed using the thematic analysis method and conceptualized using the Health Belief Model.Results: Five themes emerged: the perceived threat of aplastic anemia, perceived benefits and barriers of taking prescribed medicines, cues to action, self-efficacy, and modifying factors. While patients’ knowledge was limited, they acknowledged the threat of aplastic anemia and the necessity of drug treatments, but they also encountered some barriers in practice. The desire for health and healthcare providers’ opinions were the main clues to medication adherence. The expectation of the future and the sense of self-competency made participants adopt good behavior.Discussions: This stud