An assessment of readiness for behaviour change in @entity1 prescribed ocular XXXX therapy.

@entity1 @entity551 @entity726
OBJECTIVES: To compare responses in two @entity1 populations with a questionnaire developed to identify those prescribed ocular @entity551 medication whose adherence may need improvement and who may be ready to change. METHODS: The content/face validity of a 62-item, self-administered questionnaire was confirmed by nine @entity726 specialists. Questions concerned demographics, health and medications, use of/problems with medications, and visual function. The questionnaire was administered anonymously to 102 consecutive @entity1 in a @entity726 referral practice (' @entity726 practice') and 100 from a multispecialty ophthalmology practice ('multispecialty practice'). All @entity1 were prescribed >or=1 ocular @entity551 medication and had no previous trabeculectomy. RESULTS: @entity1 in the @entity726 practice were more likely to be younger, African-American, and better educated (P<0.05 for each). In both, >80% had @entity726 with >60% diagnosed >or=3 years previously. Most ( @entity726 , multispecialty: 87, 93%) reported administering drops every day, but more in the multispecialty practice reported administering drops at the same time every day (79, 92%; P<0.05). Number of adherence problems (mean, 1/ @entity1 ) and adherence scores (mean, 24; possible scale range, 0-25) were similar. Common adherence barriers were falling asleep and forgetting when the regular schedule changed or when travelling. In the @entity726 practice, the number of adherence problems was correlated with adherence score (r=-0.611; P<0.0001) and number of side effects (r=0.349; P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Similarities between @entity1 populations limited our ability to compare responses between groups or to propose adherence counselling tailored to specific demographics. Until such recommendations are possible, physicians should incorporate adherence counselling broadly into their practices.
