CPS1 – Cultural and individual aspects of adherence in medication therapy

Link to EAHP Statements
Section 4 – Clinical Pharmacy: Statements – 4.1, 4.6, 4.8

Abstract
Medication adherence is influenced not only by medical guidance but also by a complex web of personal, cultural, and religious beliefs that shape patients’ attitudes toward medication therapy. For instance, in some cultures, there may be a preference for natural medicines over synthetic drugs, or a deep-rooted mistrust of certain medical interventions due to historical or social reasons. Additionally, individual factors like language barriers, literacy levels, and economic constraints further complicate adherence.
While healthcare professionals strive to provide standardized care, they must also acknowledge and adapt to individual influences that can impact treatment effectiveness and patient well-being. Therefore, the implementation of culturally informed practices in medication therapy presents opportunities to improve adherence and health outcomes. However, taking the patient’s cultural and individual preferences into account is challenging, as there is a need to overcome communication barriers and address implicit biases.
This seminar offers an overview of the cultural and individual factors affecting the perception of pharmacotherapy and provides an in-depth look into how these factors affect medication adherence across different patient populations. Also, participants will gain insights on interventions designed to address cultural barriers in medication therapy and provide strategies for integrating culturally informed practices into clinical practice.

Learning objectives
After the session, the participant should be able to:
– Identify cultural, religious, and individual factors that impact medication adherence.
– List methods for integrating culturally informed practices into standard clinical care.

Educational need addressed
Hospital pharmacists play a critical role in ensuring medication adherence among diverse patient populations. Understanding the cultural and individual factors influencing adherence is essential to provide an effective, personalized care.

Keywords
Adherence, Cultural Competency, Cultural Diversity.