Sreenidhi Saripalli
Pronouns:
Research Mentor(s): Courtney Polenick
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Psychiatry / Medicine
Program:
Authors:
Session: Session 4: 1:40 pm – 2:30 pm
Poster: 22
Abstract
Medical advice adherence is the extent to which an individual’s behavior (e.g., taking medications, following diets, or making lifestyle changes) coincides with medical advice. Despite its critical role in patients’ well-being, over 40% of patients sustain significant risks by misunderstanding, forgetting, or ignoring healthcare advice. Spouses influence one another’s health; however, we know little about medical advice adherence among older couples when both partners live with multiple chronic conditions (MCC) that complicate treatment and self-management plans. This cross-sectional mixed-method study assessed difficulties related to medical advice adherence among older couples in which both partners managed MCC with (n = 15) and without (n = 41) dementia in one partner, which may further complicate their care. Participants completed a phone interview with questions about their sociodemographic and health characteristics, as well as a semi-structured interview about their illness management. We conducted a qualitative content analysis of responses to the questions: “Can you tell me about any difficulties in following your doctor’s recommendations?” and “Can you tell me about any difficulties your partner has in following his/her doctor’s recommendations?”. There were three major themes for couples living with MCC and dementia: 1) partner acceptance of non-adherence with physician recommendations among people living with dementia (PLWD); 2) partner assistance with remembering and interpreting physician recommendations for PLWD; and 3) lack of involvement with partners’ medical advice adherence among PLWD. There were three major themes for couples living with MCC without dementia: 1) patient attitude influences adherence with physician recommendations; 2) accessibility limits adherence regarding exercise, diet, and medication; and 3) pain from MCC hinders exercise adherence. The current findings inform strategies for dyadic interventions to improve patient education, partner support, and health outcomes among older couples living with MCC.
