Medication adherence

Half of all patients treated for chronic diseases do not take their medications as prescribed. Poor adherence is estimated to cause nearly 200,000 deaths in Europe each year, at a cost of 80–125 billion euros. Research has identified many reasons for poor adherence, related to the patient, healthcare, the disease, and the medication.

In recent years, a multitude of technological innovations (E-health & digital therapeutics) have been introduced. They have significant potential to support healthcare professionals and increase patient involvement and engagement in their medication treatment. However, there is a lack of knowledge about how they are used and what effects they have.

Our research focuses on evaluating adherence to treatment in general, from both the patient's and healthcare professionals' perspectives, and how new digital tools and services can be used to support patients and healthcare professionals, thereby increasing adherence to medication treatments.

Currently, an interview study is underway with individuals with type 2 diabetes regarding how digital tools and services can support adherence to medication treatment.

Our research group is also involved in the large European research project COST Action ENABLE Adherence, which aims to create better knowledge and awareness of adherence and how various digital technologies can contribute to better adherence and increased quality of life. More information about the project can be found here.

Recent publications

• Socioeconomic factors associated with poor medication adherence in patients with type 2 diabetes. (Ekenberg Marie, Qvarnström Miriam, Sundström Anders, Martinell Mats, Wettermark Björn. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2023 Oct 23.)
• A Qualitative Study on Patients' Views on Hypertension and Antihypertensive Medications. (Malkon Salpe, Wettermark Björn, Kahan Thomas, Bastholm-Rahmner Pia, Hasselström Jan, Qvarnström Miriam. Patient Prefer. Adherence. 2023 oct. 26.)
  

Contact:

Marie Ekenberg, PhD student. marie.ekenberg@uu.se

Miriam Qvarnström, senior lecturer. miriam.qvarnstrom@uu.se