Practise distinguishing rational from accidental non-adherence and applying the Health Belief Model, patient factors and idiographic evidence to medical cases.
Dr Munsi is concerned that some of her elderly patients with heart disease do not take their medication every day. Dr Munsi uses the Health Belief Model to design a leaflet to reduce non
adherence in her elderly patients.
Suggest what Dr Munsi could include in her leaflet to reduce non-adherence in the elderly patients, using the Health Belief Model.
-adherence in her elderly patients.
Suggest what Dr Munsi could include in her leaflet to reduce non-adherence in the elderly patients, using the Health Belief Model.
Award 3-4 marks for a detailed answer with clear understanding of Health Belief Model linked to helping Dr Munsi reduce non-adherence.
Award 1-2 marks for a basic answer with some understanding of Health Belief Model linked to helping Dr Munsi reduce non-adherence.
Likely suggestions for leaflet:
- Outline heart disease including short and long term symptoms and outcomes (increases knowledge of the disease).
- Opening hours of clinic and pharmacy with transport links so that it is easy for the elderly patient to attend the clinic/collect their medication (reduces barriers to access).
- Typical medications for heart disease and what the medication does to improve the heart (improves perception of benefits of the medication).
- Explain the possible side effects and likelihood of experiencing these side effects (knowledge of perceived cost/negative of medication).
- Space for Dr Munsi to write the individual patient's medication and how to take it (personalised information - could increase patient satisfaction with Dr Munsi/the clinic).
- Provide leaflet in large font size so easy for elderly patients to read (specific to the demographic)
4
Needs to refer to improve adherence/reduce non-adherence to taking medication every day.
If no context max 2 marks.
Context = elderly patients and/or heart disease and/or taking medication every day.
1 or more suggestions for the leaflet is allowed.
Do not allow ideas that are linked to leading to high fear arousal. Ideas linked to low fear arousal are okay only when clearly linked to HBM.
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Example:
Dr Munsi should design her leaflet about heart disease to include information on the short term and long term symptoms of the disease. (1) The health belief model suggests that knowledge about the disease increases the likelihood that patients will adhere to taking their medication as they understand the consequences of heart disease without medication. (1) She could also include the side effects of the medication and the likelihood of experiencing each side effect. (1) This would give her patients the correct knowledge of the negatives of the medication. (1) As the positive reduction in symptoms and protecting the heart in the long term is known due to the leaflet, the positives outweigh the costs and patients should decide to take the medication. (1)
Other appropriate responses should also be credited.