Optimizing Patient Adherence: Investigating Barriers and Developing a Strategic Framework to Improve Healthcare Outcomes

HRMARS - This study proposes a framework to identify key factors influencing medication compliance and explores solutions to overcome barriers to adherence. To achieve this, an extensive review of previous research and underpinning theories on medication adherence was conducted to analyse and interpret the primary obstacles to adherence. Furthermore, a qualitative study was undertaken, incorporating semi-structured interviews with six consultant physicians from various specialties at four hospitals in Damascus, Syria. Our findings highlight several strategies to enhance patient adherence, including preventive healthcare, improved health insurance, increased health literacy, strengthened social and family support, simplified medication regimens, memory-enhancing techniques, and the establishment of trust through effective doctor-patient communication. While patient behaviour in Syria exhibits similarities to that in developing and developed countries, factors such as healthcare costs, cultural beliefs, and social support play a particularly significant role in medication adherence. This study underscores that while both patients and doctors have distinct responsibilities in promoting adherence, their roles are complementary, with neither being inherently more significant than the other.