Exploring intentional medication nonadherence in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: the role of physician-patient interactions
Abstract Objective Medication nonadherence contributes to worse health outcomes among systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. The underlying mechanisms which drive medication nonadherence are poorly understood. The purpose of this study is to explore possible mechanisms of medication nonadherence through eliciting patient experiences. Methods Consented adult patients with American College of Rheumatology- or Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics-classified SLE were recruited. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted across six participants. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using an iterative process. Findings were presented to an interactive public forum with SLE patients, family members and friends of patients, and health care professionals to assess validity and elaboration of the concepts developed. Results Three interrelated themes emerged from the interviews: (1) Why do rheumatologists not know more about lupus or share what they do know with their patients?; (2) Why do I have to take so many drugs and why do the drug not work?; and (3) If my rheumatologist cannot communicate with me, why should I follow the prescribed medication regime? Conclusions Our exploratory findings layout a possible underlying logic by which patients may choose to intentionally engage with medication nonadherence behaviors. Patients suggested that poor communication with their rheumatologists along with a lack of validation of their symptoms contributed to them not valuing physician recommendations. This also contributed to development of a cynical outlook and little belief that medication would improve their condition. While further work is needed to validate these findings, our preliminary work suggests that interventions focusing on developing communication skills among both patients and rheumatologists are necessary to reduce medication nonadherence.