The relationship between partner information-seeking, information-sharing, and patient medication adherence.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

We describe the medication information-seeking behaviors of arthritis patients' partners and explore whether partner medication information-seeking and information-sharing are associated with patient medication adherence.

Methods

Arthritis patients and their partners (n = 87 dyads) completed an on-line questionnaire. Partners indicated how often they obtained medication information from 14 sources, how much they trusted these sources, and whether they shared medication information with the patient. Patients reported their medication adherence. Bivariate associations were calculated to explore the relationships between partner information-seeking, information-sharing, and patient medication adherence.

Results

Partners sought little information about the patient's medications. Partners sought more information if the patient's medication regimen was more complex (r = 0.33, p = 0.002). Most partners (∼ 98%) shared medication information with the patient; older partners shared more information with the patient (r = 0.25, p = 0.03). Neither partner information-seeking (r = 0.21, p = 0.06) nor partner information-sharing (r = 0.12, p = 0.31) were significantly associated with patient medication adherence.

Conclusions

Although partners of arthritis patients do not seek large amounts of medication information, the vast majority share this information with the patient.

Practice implications

Involving partners in medical consultations can help them better understand the patient's medications, have questions answered by providers, and engage in more informed discussions with patients about their medications.

SUBMITTER: Carpenter DM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4314448 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature