Impact of beliefs about medication on the relationship between trust in physician with medication adherence after stroke

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between medication adherence, trust in physician and beliefs about medication among stroke survivors. To determine whether beliefs about medication would mediate the relationship between trust in physician and medication adherence. MethodsA sample of 200 patients with a diagnosis of ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) completed a one-time survey, including the shortened Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-5), Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ), and Trust in Physician Scale (TIPS). ResultsOur study found that medication adherence was associated with trust in physician (p = 0.019) and four factors of beliefs about medication (BMQ1-Necessity: p < 0.001; BMQ2-Concerns: p = 0.024; BMQ3-Overuse: p = 0.016; BMQ4-Harm: p < 0.001). Furthermore, we found monthly income of survivors moderated the relationship between trust in physician and medication adherence (p = 0.007, CI(95%): [−0.822, −0.132]). ConclusionsThe beliefs about medication mediating the relationship between trust in physician and medication adherence were different based on the stroke survivors’ income bracket. Practice implicationsInterventions being developed to improve medication adherence may benefit from improving stroke survivors’ trust in physician and addressing their beliefs about medication. In addition, healthcare providers are advised to take monthly income into consideration to effectively address stroke survivors’ concerns regarding prescribed medications to mitigate stroke recurrence.