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When you are homeless, you are not thinking about your medication, but your food, shelter or heat for the night: behavioural determinants of homeless patients' adherence to prescribed medicines.

Paudyal, V.; MacLure, K.; Buchanan, C.; Wilson, L.; MacLeod, J.; Stewart, D.

Authors

V. Paudyal

K. MacLure

C. Buchanan

L. Wilson

J. MacLeod

D. Stewart



Abstract

Objectives This study aimed to explore behavioural determinants of homeless patients' adherence to prescribed medicines using Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Study design A qualitative study using semi-structured, face-to-face interviews. Methods Participants were recruited from a homelessness primary healthcare centre in Aberdeen, United Kingdom (UK). Face-to-face interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis of the interview data was conducted using the Framework Approach based on the Theoretical Domains Framework. National Health Service ethical and Research and Development (R&D) approval was obtained. Results Twenty-five patients were interviewed, at which point data saturation was achieved. A total of 13 out of 14 Theoretical Domains Framework domains were identified that explained the determinants of adherence or non-adherence to prescribed medicines. These included: beliefs about consequences (e.g. non-adherence leading to poor health); goals of therapy (e.g. being a normal person with particular reference to methadone adherence); and environmental context and resources (e.g. stolen medicines and the lack of secure storage). Obtaining food and shelter was higher priority than access and adherence to prescribed medicines while being homeless. Conclusions Behavioural determinants of non-adherence identified in this study were mostly related to participants' homelessness and associated lifestyle. Results are relevant to developing behaviour change interventions targeting non-adherent homeless patients and to the education of healthcare professionals serving this vulnerable population.

Citation

PAUDYAL, V., MACLURE, K., BUCHANAN, C., WILSON, L., MACLEOD, J. and STEWART, D. 2017. When you are homeless, you are not thinking about your medication, but your food, shelter or heat for the night: behavioural determinants of homeless patients' adherence to prescribed medicines. Public health [online], 148, pages 1-8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2017.03.002

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Mar 1, 2017
Online Publication Date Mar 31, 2017
Publication Date Jul 31, 2017
Deposit Date Apr 7, 2017
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Public health
Print ISSN 0033-3506
Electronic ISSN 1476-5616
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 148
Pages 1-8
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2017.03.002
Keywords Behaviours; Homeless; Prescription medicines; Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF); Vulnerable patients
Public URL http://hdl.handle.net/10059/2267

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