Understanding Social Support and Medication Adherence in the Context of High Cholesterol

• In Event: Social support in multiple health contexts

Abstract

Patients and those within their intimate social system were interviewed together and separately in a total of fifteen focus groups categorized as: high-cholesterol statin adherent, high cholesterol statin non-adherent, or Type 2 diabetes diagnosis (adherence not predetermined). Transcripts were analyzed using consensus judgment, critical theory, and NVivo7. Results indicate that patients don’t ask and doctors don’t tell about statin use. Statins are viewed as a “quick fix” reducing the need to diet and exercise.

Authors

• Darlene Drummond, University of Miami

• Yvette Bueno, University of Miami

• Vaughn F. Keller, Humana

• Jenny Spadola, Humana

• Elizabeth Schy, Humana