Qualitative analysis of barriers and facilitators encountered by HIV patients in an ART adherence programme.

Background: Medication adherence is a complex, dynamic and changing behaviour that is affected by a variety of factors, including the patient's beliefs and life circumstances. Studies have highlighted barriers to medication adherence (e.g.

Characteristics of HIV patients referred to a medication adherence program in Switzerland.

Background: Since August 2004, HIV patients who encounter -or are at risk of -problems with their antiretroviral treatment (ART) are referred by their physician to a medication adherence program at the community pharmacy of the Department of Ambulatory Care and Community Medicine in Lausanne (Switzerland). The program combines motivational interviewing and electronic drug monitoring.

Objective: To compare the demographic and clinical characteristics as well as ART of HIV patients referred to the adherence program versus those of the entire HIV population followed in the same infection disease department in the same time frame.

An interdisciplinary HIV-adherence program combining motivational interviewing and electronic antiretroviral drug monitoring.

To ensure successful treatment, HIV patients must maintain a high degree of medication adherence over time. Since August 2004, patients who are (or are at risk of) experiencing problems with their HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) have been referred by their physicians to an interdisciplinary HIV-adherence program. The program consists of a multifactorial intervention along with electronic drug monitoring (MEMS(TM)).

Antiretroviral adherence program in HIV patients: a feasibility study in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of a comprehensive, interdisciplinary adherence program aimed at HIV patients.

Setting: Two centers of the Swiss HIV Cohort Study: Lausanne and Basel.

Method: 6-month, pilot, quasi-experimental, 2-arm design (control and intervention).

Adherence: a review of education, research, practice and policy in Switzerland.

Unlabelled: Nonadherence to medication treatment regimens is a major preventable risk behavior in both acute and chronic diseases. Community pharmacists are facilitators in community care for promoting medication adherence and they should implement interdisciplinary medication adherence programs. To do so, pharmacists should be educated in medication adherence, and new pharmaceutical care policies should be implemented.