Using the health belief model to predict initial drug therapy defaulting.

In a study of HMO patients, a Health Belief Model (HBM) questionnaire was tested to determine whether initially drug defaulting patients could be differentiated from initially compliant patients. The results of discriminant analysis indicated that individuals in the two groups could be correctly classified at a level of 68.7%. The variables on which the initially defaulting sample collectively scored less on, and which produced the most discrimination between the two groups, were: feedback from physicians on how to take a newly prescribed drug: belief in benefits of medical care for symptoms or illnesses; convenience factors including travel, need for day care and time off from work without pay needed for medical services; length of HMO membership; and education. A total of 20% of the variance in the derived discriminant function could be accounted for by the two groups. The results indicate the utility of the HBM as a tool of prediction for this form of noncompliance, and suggest possible other patient behaviors that may be able to be predicted by the model. The results further suggest the need for increased communication between providers and patients in the health care setting.