Evaluate medication adherence to medication in outpatients undergoing treatment for chronic diseases at Hue Family Medicine Clinic

Abstract

Background: Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. Medication adherence is a critical factor in improving treatment efficacy and reducing patient costs. Objectives: (1) To survey the general characteristics of patients receiving treatment for chronic diseases at the Hue Family Medicine Clinic; (2) To assess home medication adherence among these patients using the GMAS scale. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 127 patients with chronic diseases (diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, other cardiovascular diseases) at the Family Medicine Clinic from July 2024 to September 2024. Medication adherence was evaluated using the GMAS scale. Results: The mean age of the patients was 63.48 ± 8.65years. On average, patients had 2.23 ± 0.88 primary/comorbid conditions and were prescribed 2.77 ± 1.31 medications. The rate of high medication adherence was 92.1%. However, approximately 30-50% of patients occasionally or frequently forgot their medication due to being busy, traveling, attending social events, or having difficulty remembering. About 20% of patients "frequently or occasionally" discontinued medication on their own, and 28.3% self-adjusted their daily medication regimen. Conclusion: Interventions are needed to minimize forgetfulness due to changes in routine and to address the self-adjustment of treatment regimens, which may stem from a lack of knowledge or ineffective communication with physicians. Future patient counseling and education programs should focus on these two specific aspects.