RESUMO
(1) Background: Medication adherence is influenced by a variety of intricate factors, presenting hurdles for nurses working to improve it among adults with chronic conditions. Pinpointing the reasons for non-adherence is crucial for customizing interventions. The objective of this quality improvement project was to improve medication adherence among adults with chronic diseases in primary healthcare by promoting evidence-based practices, identifying barriers and facilitators to compliance, and developing strategies to ensure optimal adherence through engaging the nursing team, enhancing knowledge, and evaluating the effectiveness of the implemented strategies. (2) Methods: This study was a quality improvement project that utilized the JBI Evidence Implementation framework, the Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System, and the Getting Research into Practice audit tool across three phases: (i) forming a project team and conducting a baseline audit, (ii) offering feedback via the GRiP tool, and (iii) conducting a follow-up audit to assess best practice outcomes. The study was conducted between September 2021 and March 2022 in the community care unit of Algarve Regional Health Administration, targeting adults with chronic illnesses. (3) Results: A total of 148 individuals were audited, including 8 nurses, 70 baseline patients, and 70 post-implementation patients. Initial compliance with key best practices was low, with several criteria at 0% compliance at baseline. Post-intervention, we observed significant improvements; compliance with key best practices improved dramatically, with many reaching 100%. Notable improvements included enhanced patient education on medication management, regular medication adherence assessments, and increased engagement of healthcare professionals in adherence activities. (4) Conclusions: This quality improvement project demonstrated that structured, evidence-based interventions could significantly enhance medication adherence among adults with chronic diseases. The success of the project highlights the potential of similar strategies to be applied broadly in primary healthcare settings to improve health outcomes.
RESUMO
Resumo Enquadramento: Face ao envelhecimento populacional existe uma crescente prevalência de doenças crónicas entre elas a diabetes mellitus. A complexidade dos regimes medicamentosos destas pessoas e a otimização da sua gestão assume-se desafiante para os enfermeiros. Objetivo: Compreender como a pessoa idosa com diabetes mellitus gere o seu regime medicamentoso. Metodologia: Estudo descritivo, qualitativo e natureza indutiva. Realizadas 12 entrevistas semiestruturadas a pessoas idosas com diagnóstico de diabetes mellitus. O verbatim foi transcrito e analisado através de análise de conteúdo. Resultados: O sucesso terapêutico relaciona-se com o modo como as pessoas lidam com a necessidade de aderir a um regime medicamentoso. Fatores intrínsecos (como sexo e idade) e fatores extrínsecos (como duração do tratamento, sistema de saúde pouco desenvolvido, entre outros) condicionam o sucesso terapêutico, ainda que a toma dos medicamentos seja reconhecida como necessária. Conclusão: Este estudo permitiu compreender como as pessoas gerem o regime medicamentoso, corrobora que baixas taxas de adesão comprometem o sucesso terapêutico e estabelece como prementes intervenções dirigidas às necessidades concretas das pessoas com doença crónica.
Abstract Background: Due to the population's aging, the prevalence of chronic illnesses, including diabetes mellitus, is increasing, and nurses have to face the challenges arising from the complexity of older adults' medication regimens and their optimal management. Objective: To understand how older adults with diabetes mellitus manage their medication regimens. Methodology: This is a descriptive qualitative study using an inductive approach. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with older adults diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using content analysis. Results: Therapeutic success relates to how patients deal with the need to adhere to a medication regimen. Despite patients recognizing the need to take medication, intrinsic factors (such as gender and age) and extrinsic factors (treatment duration, underdeveloped health systems, and others) influence therapeutic success. Conclusion: The study allowed understanding how patients manage their medication regimens. It confirmed that low adherence rates compromised therapeutic success and identified the urgent need for interventions that address the specific needs of chronically-ill patients.
Resumen Marco contextual: Ante el envejecimiento de la población, aumenta la prevalencia de enfermedades crónicas, entre ellas la diabetes mellitus. La complejidad de los regímenes de medicación de estas personas y la optimización de su gestión es un reto para los enfermeros. Objetivo: Entender cómo el anciano con diabetes mellitus gestiona su régimen de medicación. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo, cualitativo e inductivo. Se realizaron 12 entrevistas semiestructuradas a ancianos diagnosticados de diabetes mellitus. El texto se transcribió y analizó mediante un análisis de contenido. Resultados: El éxito terapéutico está relacionado con la forma en que las personas afrontan la necesidad de cumplir un régimen de medicación. Los factores intrínsecos (como el sexo y la edad) y extrínsecos (como la duración del tratamiento, el sistema sanitario poco desarrollado, entre otros) condicionan el éxito terapéutico, aunque las personas reconozcan como necesario tomar medicamentos. Conclusión: Este estudio permitió comprender cómo las personas gestionan su régimen de medicación, corrobora que las bajas tasas de adherencia comprometen el éxito terapéutico y establece la urgencia de llevar a cabo intervenciones dirigidas a las necesidades concretas de las personas con enfermedades crónicas.
