Medication Adherence Patterns and Barriers in a Cross-Sectional Patient Cohort: The Role of Forgetfulness, Cost, Side Effects, and Counseling Gaps

Abstract

Medication non-adherence remains a critical challenge in clinical practice, contributing to poor treatment outcomes and increased healthcare costs. In this cross-sectional observational study, we investigated adherence patterns and identified key barriers among 300 patients recruited from outpatient and inpatient settings. Participants were aged 18 years or older, currently prescribed medications, and willing to participate; those with incomplete responses were excluded. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire covering demographics, medication-taking behaviors, understanding of treatment, and perceived barriers. Descriptive statistics were applied to characterize frequencies and proportions across all variables. The cohort had a balanced age distribution, with nearly equal representation of male, female, and other gender groups. Our results revealed that while a majority reported regular medication intake, a moderate proportion occasionally missed doses, and forgetfulness emerged as a predominant contributor to non-adherence. Furthermore, a considerable number of participants prematurely discontinued medication after symptom improvement rather than completing the prescribed course. Major barriers included medication cost, side effects, and busy schedules; financial burden and adverse effects most commonly influenced discontinuation. Notably, many participants did not receive adequate counseling from healthcare professionals, and a strong interest in reminder-based support systems (e.g., mobile alerts, family assistance) was expressed. The novelty of this work lies in its simultaneous assessment of multiple interrelated barriers—forgetfulness, cost, side effects, and counseling gaps—within a single patient cohort, thereby highlighting the multifactorial nature of non-adherence. We conclude that targeted interventions, including improved patient education, affordable medication access, and structured reminder systems, are essential to optimize adherence and treatment outcomes.