Diabetes-related patients’ profile and strategy in improving their knowledge and adherence: A mixed method study

Background: Effective education and information during diabetes patients’ treatment to enhance their knowledge could impact their medication adherence to improve therapeutic outcomes. This study aims to explore diabetes-related patient profiles, including knowledge, adherence, and medication nonadherence factors among diabetic patients. Also, it explores the implemented pharmacists' strategies to raise knowledge and adherence. Methods: This study had two phases. The first phase focused on diabetic patients, assessing their profiles, knowledge about diabetes, medication adherence, and factors contributing to nonadherence. The second phase examined pharmacists' strategies to improve patients' knowledge and adherence. Using a mixed-methods design, participants were recruited from primary healthcare in Yogyakarta. Medication adherence was measured with a four-item Morisky, Green, and Levine Medication Adherence Scale (MGLS), while knowledge was assessed using a 10-item adapted questionnaire from the Diabetes Knowledge Questionnaire (DKQ-24). Results: This study enrolled 104 patients and 24 pharmacists. Most patients (40.4%) had low knowledge of disease and medication related to diabetes. A quarter of the participants (26%) exhibited poor adherence. Almost all of the pharmacists have developed strategies to enhance patients’ knowledge and adherence (95.8%), providing drug information services and medication control cards. Conclusion: Improving patient knowledge, addressing non-adherence, and standardising pharmacists' strategies are necessary, alongside developing a comprehensive service model to enhance therapeutic outcomes.