Medication-taking after stroke: a qualitative meta-synthesis of the perspectives of stroke survivors, informal carers and health professionals

Abstract

Background
Lifelong secondary prevention medication is recommended after stroke or transient ischaemic attack. However, poor medication adherence and persistence, which lead to suboptimal health outcomes, are common, but the reasons for this are not well understood, mainly because there have been few studies reporting adherence barriers in stroke survivors.

Objective
The aim of this review was to undertake a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies of medication-taking after stroke. Outcomes of interest were: lived experiences, views and beliefs, and strategies and solutions used by community-dwelling stroke and TIA survivors, informal carers and healthcare professionals in relation to medication taking.

Method
The review protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42018086792). A search of online bibliographic databases was performed using key search terms of stroke, persistence, adherence and medication for years 1980-2018. Citation tracking was also carried out. Studies using qualitative or mixed methods were included. Systematic data extraction and synthesis were conducted using a meta-ethnographic approach.

Results
Twelve studies were eligible for inclusion, with a total of 412 participants, two-thirds of whom were stroke survivors, ranging from 1 month to over 20 years post-stroke. Third-order themes identified were ‘Medicines Work’ – Information Work; Health Care Work; Carer Work; Emotional Work; Practical Work; and an underpinning theme of Trust. However, many studies had significant methodological weaknesses.

Conclusions
This synthesis suggests that the burden of ‘medicines work’ after stroke is substantial and multifaceted. Its successful undertaking depends on mutual trust between stroke survivors, carers and health care professionals, and trust in the benefits of medicines themselves.