Improving the Health Behaviours of Copd Patients: Is Health Literacy the Answer?

Abstract

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality (Vogelmeier et al., 2017). Adherence to prescribed medications and adequate medication inhalation technique (MIT) is critical for optimal management of COPD, as is the proper use of the medication delivery device.O’Conor et al. (2019) found that lower health literacy (HL) was associated with both poor medication adherenceand MIT. HL, according to the Process-Knowledge Model, consists of both processing capacity and knowledge (Chin et al., 2017). COPD most commonly occurs in older adults (Cazzola, Donner, & Hanania, 2007). Older adults tend to have lower processing capacity (Chin et al., 2017). The purpose of this study was to determine if HL was associated with medication refill adherence (MRA)and/or MIT. Fifty-seven participants completed a questionnaire package that included demographic questions, measures of HL, and assessments of MRA and MIT. A subset of twenty patients participated in qualitative interviews. Results indicated that lower HL was associated with both lower MRA and poor MIT, and qualitative findings revealed the need for further information. Future research should focus on testing educational materials that have been designed and/or reformatted to meet the lower processing capacity of older adults.

“It’s a lonely battle”: A qualitative study of older adult Canadians’ experiences with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease medication adherence and support

“…Regarding continuity of care, most participants reported no active follow-up by health care providers about their COPD, and many did not recall being provided with any reminders or refreshers about their COPD medications by health care providers. Furthermore, some participants felt as though they For complete information on measures and procedures used in quantitative analysis, see Freeze et al 22 Original research needed to act as their own health advocates. As one participant stated, "patient heal thyself. "…”

“…Importantly, the way in which information is delivered, as well as the quality of information, should reflect varying health literacy levels and the needs of older adults. 22…”

“…Importantly, the way in which information is delivered, as well as the quality of information, should reflect varying health literacy levels and the needs of older adults. 22 Despite all but 1 participant in our sample having a form of drug coverage, the cost of COPD medications was still a concern. Participants acknowledged that without drug coverage and/or financial support from family, they would not be able to afford their medications.…”

“… For complete information on measures and procedures used in quantitative analysis, see Freeze et al 22 …”

“…Table 1 describes the measures that were collected for the quantitative portion of this mixed-methods study, which is reported elsewhere 22 and used here to contextualize the qualitative interview participants.…”