TREATMENT ADHERENCE AMONG PRIMARY CARE PATIENTS IN A HISTORICALLY DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITY IN THE WESTERN CAPE
This research project by and of the Department of Psychology examines the problem of patient non-adherence
in a historically disadvantaged community in the Western Cape.
The first aim is to qualitatively examine the perceptions of medical professionals and patients in primary care clinics in terms of barriers and facilitators to treatment adherence. The second aim is to develop a psychometric instrument based on the themes identified in the first specific aim to measure culturally and contextually defined barriers to adherence in a larger sample of patients. The third aim is to determine the relationship between patient social support, perceptions of physician-patient relationships, psychological distress, attitudes towards treatment adherence, and quality of life. The fouth aim is to develop and test a psychosocial intervention programme aimed at enhancing adherence to behavioural and medication interventions with primary care patients with chronic illnesses. The results of the study will be used to enhance treatment adherence in the public health system among patients diagnosed with chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension.