The Relationship between Trust in Nurses and Medication Adherence Among Individuals with Chronic Illnesses

Aim: This study aimed to determine the relationship between trust in nurses and medication adherence among individuals with chronic diseases.Method: This cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted between January and April 2025 with 358 individuals who applied to the internal medicine outpatient clinic of a state hospital. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Trust in Nurses Scale, and the Modified Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Descriptive statistics, Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and Spearman correlation analysis were used for data analysis.Results: The mean score of the Trust in Nurses Scale was 27.03±4.29, and the mean score of the Modified Morisky Medication Adherence Scale was 4.46±1.53. Significant differences were observed in trust in nurses according to duration of chronic illness, economic status, access to healthcare, perceived health status, presence of individuals with the same disease in the social environment, and frequency of physician visits (p<0.05). Medication adherence differed significantly according to family type, disease-related knowledge, and frequency of physician visits (p<0.05). A statistically significant positive correlation was found between trust in nurses and medication adherence (r=0.216, p<0.001).Conclusion: The findings of the study demonstrated that there is a positive and significant relationship between trust in nurses and medication adherence among individuals with chronic diseases. Strengthening the trust relationship between nurses and patients may contribute to increased treatment adherence and improved health outcomes.