A qualitative study exploring the perceptions and motivations of patients with heart failure who transitioned from non-adherence to adherence.

Abstract Background Management of heart failure (HF) involves complex self-care recommendations. Many patients have difficulty adhering to these recommendations, and mechanisms that support behavior change are poorly understood. Objective The objective of this study was to explore the perceptions and motivations of individuals with HF who became adherent to HF treatment recommendations after being non-adherent. Methods This was a qualitative descriptive study. Participants were recruited from cardiology clinics and completed a semi-structured interview on their experiences and motivations for self-care behavior change. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The sample size (n = 8) was sufficient to achieve saturation. Results Five themes were identified: experiencing mortality, optimism and hope, making connections between behavior and health, self–efficacy, and the role of the clinician. The temporal chronological sequence of these themes across participants varied. Conclusions This study adds to our current understanding of HF self-care by suggesting mechanisms that may enhance existing self-care interventions, and demonstrating the important role of the clinician.