Qualitative study of patient experiences of responsibility in warfarin therapy

Chris Gillespie, Adam J. Rose, Beth Ann Petrakis, Ellen A. Jones, Angela Park, Megan B. McCullough

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Purpose. Results of a study to characterize the experiences of warfarin-treated patients, including their experiences in taking medication, communicating with clinical pharmacists, and International Normalized Ratio (INR) monitoring, are reported. Methods. A qualitative analysis of data obtained during interviews with 40 patients at a Veterans Affairs medical center warfarin clinic was conducted. In semistructured interviews, the patients were asked to describe the process whereby their INR values were monitored by pharmacists and their understanding of self-management responsibilities, including medication adherence and implementation of lifestyle modifications that might influence the effectiveness of anticoagulation therapy. Results. Analysis of interview results indicated that patients' experience in the event of variation in INR levels is characterized by misperceptions of the instructions regarding appropriate dietary and lifestyle behaviors, misattribution of responsibility for abnormal readings, and provider uncertainty in ascertaining causation for out-of-range INR values. Patients frequently reported that they interpret pharmacist questions to imply that they are responsible for variable INR values. This perception may indirectly lead to adverse consequences such as withholding of information from anticoagulation care providers and skipping clinic appointments, which could in turn result in suboptimal clinical outcomes. Conclusion. Analysis of results of qualitative interviews of patients receiving warfarin indicated that patients may interpret routine questioning about INR variation as implying that they are to blame for poor anticoagulation control.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1798-1804
Number of pages7
JournalAmerican Journal of Health-System Pharmacy
Volume75
Issue number22
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Nov 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Anticoagulation
  • Clinical pharmacists
  • INR variation
  • Patient experience
  • Qualitative research
  • Warfarin

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Health Policy
  • Pharmacology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Qualitative study of patient experiences of responsibility in warfarin therapy'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this