Creating and testing regulatory focus messages to enhance medication adherence

ObjectivesStrategies were explored to improve patient adherence to cardioprotective medications by borrowing from a motivational framework used in psychology, regulatory focus theory. The current study is part of a larger randomized control trial and was aimed at understanding what written educational messages, based on patients’ regulatory focus tendency, resonated with each individual as a potential reminder to take medications. This study was also aimed at understanding why messages resonated with the patients.MethodsTwenty veterans were tested for regulatory fitand presented with messages dependent on focus tendency. In-person semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect feedback of messages. An iterative analysis drawing primarily on matrix and reflexive team analyses was conducted.ResultSix promotion and six prevention messages emerged, such as “team up with your provider to create a combination of medications to prevent illness” and “Live your best life – Take your medications”. Five themes...