Jonathan Presky1, Ian Webzell2, Trevor Murrells3, Nigel Heaton4, Margaret Lau-Walker5. 1. Hepatobilary Clinical Nurse Specialist, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London. 2. Alcohol & Substance Misuse Clinical Nurse Specialist, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London. 3. Faculty Statistician, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, King's College London. 4. Professor of Transplant Surgery, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London. 5. Senior Lecturer, University of Surrey, Guildford.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: people with alcohol-related liver disease require complex treatment plans that often include the need for medication for the rest of their lives. Between 30% and 50% of all patients do not take their treatment as prescribed, leading to a significantly increased risk of morbidity and mortality. AIM: to consider the factors which influence beliefs held by patients with alcohol-related liver disease about their medication to provide an evidence base to support interventions to reduce medication non-adherence. METHOD: an observational cross-sectional patient survey. RESULTS: statistically significant associations were found between positive attitudes towards medication and the illness representation dimensions of 'illness identity' and 'illness comprehension'. CONCLUSIONS: medication adherence in patients with alcohol-related liver disease is likely to be improved by an intervention that strives to improve the patient's understanding of their illness condition and their perception of their illness symptoms.
BACKGROUND:people with alcohol-related liver disease require complex treatment plans that often include the need for medication for the rest of their lives. Between 30% and 50% of all patients do not take their treatment as prescribed, leading to a significantly increased risk of morbidity and mortality. AIM: to consider the factors which influence beliefs held by patients with alcohol-related liver disease about their medication to provide an evidence base to support interventions to reduce medication non-adherence. METHOD: an observational cross-sectional patient survey. RESULTS: statistically significant associations were found between positive attitudes towards medication and the illness representation dimensions of 'illness identity' and 'illness comprehension'. CONCLUSIONS: medication adherence in patients with alcohol-related liver disease is likely to be improved by an intervention that strives to improve the patient's understanding of their illness condition and their perception of their illness symptoms.