Interviewing people who had taken temporary medication in the past taught me that many potential users found it difficult to remember to take their medication if they didn’t follow a strict routine in their home lives; such as eating at set times, being in their home at the same time every day.
Interesting comments
Because he was so ill he couldn’t have done it himself [create a chart] he couldn’t think that far ahead. Left to his own devices he wouldn’t have medicated himself correctly. He wasn’t able to think coherently.
Interview 3 – PJ
(Mother referring to her observations of her son when he was on short-term medication)
Methods for remembering to take medication
Mum wrote a list and I had to tick them off.
Interview 2 – AJ
(Son referring to how he remembered to take his medication)
I would write them down. 1 x 3 times a day. Another lot 4 x a day, another lot might be once a day. I’d write it down on paper and have that next to them.
INTERVIEW 3 – SM
I’d have all the boxes next to my trusty bit of paper.
INTERVIEW 3 – SM
It’s easy to write it out on paper
INTERVIEW 3 – SM
I’d write down the hours and set reminders on my own. I’d set alerts in my calendar.
Interview 7 – HB
Occasions when being adherent was difficult
when you’re ill and you can’t be bothered to do something. You wait until it was convenient. When ill keeping track was hard.
INTERVIEW 5 – AJ
When I was on 4 different medications at 4 times a day it was difficult to manage.
INTERVIEW 2 – AJ
It’s a bit fiddly when I’ve got 3 lots going on at different times it can become a bit annoying.
INTERVIEW 3 – SM
At home if it’s in the kitchen I’m always around, I’m probably more aware of it. If I’m at work I’ll forget to take it there’s a lot on and my mind, not on the fact I need to take the medication.
INTERVIEW 4 – RW
Cues
There was one time I was signed off work, I was in so much pain I was like “when can I next take drugs”. I’d just be watching the clock. It was just always on your mind.
INTERVIEW 3 – SM
A throbbing ear was a pretty good reminder. I just used it around meal times, one after breakfast, one after lunch, one at dinner.
INTERVIEW 6 – SS