Psychosocial Factors Affecting Adherence to Medical Regimens in a Group of Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

The present research was designed to identify psychosocial correlates of adherence among patients receiving hemodialysis at two outpatient clinics. The 116 participants were interviewed concerning their knowledge of treatment, health beliefs, treatment history, social support, personal characteristics, and adherence to the medication, diet and fluid-intake aspects of the regimen. In addition, medical record data were obtained on serum phosphorus and serum potassium levels, and on between-dialysis weight gains. The magnitude of relationships between predictors and adherence measures varied, depending on the method used to measure adherence. For the self-report measures, beliefs concerning the efficacy of the behavior and barriers to the behavior, along with reported family problems, proved to be consistent predictors. Other beliefs and characteristics did not contribute significantly. For the medical chart information, however, the predictive factors were less consistent. In general, situational factors seem to be the major contributors to patient adherence, and adherence itself is seen as a complex and multidimensional phenomenon.