Factors affecting medication compliance in inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disease, and for many people means taking medication indefinitely. The purpose of this research was to explore factors which influence and affect medication compliance in patients with IBD who attend a district general hospital. Data were collected by undertaking six in-depth interviews. Data were analysed through a combination of Miles and Huberman′s (1994) interactive model of data analysis and a modified version of Dey′s (1993) steps of analysis. Ten categories were developed to encapsulate the experiences of the participants and factors that affected compliance: beliefs regarding medication; side-effects; length of time and experiences since diagnosis; social support; regimen and routine; practicality of the administration of medication; prescriptions; healthcare provision; information resources and self-management and relapse. The categories discerned were those that affected compliance and therefore may have been methods of enhancing compliance or factors which had a detrimental effect on compliance. Factors that influence compliance are multi-factorial and patients are inconsistent in the way they view use of medication. The role of the nurse specialist is key in initiating new interventions and changes in a service to address the needs of IBD patients in relation to medication compliance.