Cardiothoracic & vascular anesthesia
Patient Beliefs and Experiences of Adhering to Medical Therapies for Cardiovascular Comorbidities, Before Noncardiac Elective Surgery in South Africa: A Mixed-Methods Study
Authors' conclusion
Patient-reported tools were acceptable and highlighted complex, interrelated factors associated with adherence.
Study context
- Population
- Patients taking cardiovascular medication before vascular surgery, South African tertiary hospital
- Participants
- 21 patients
- Outcome
- Beliefs and experiences about cardiovascular medication adherence
Methodological detailssemistructured interviews, validated self-report questionnaires, thematic analysis
- Semistructured interviews
- Validated self-report questionnaires
- Thematic analysis
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Illness perceived as chronic
- 15/20, 75%
- Treatment perceived as effective
- 18/21, 86%
- High concern
- 15 of 21 (71%)
- Emotional distress
- 9 of 21 (43%)
- Strong belief in need for medication
- 21/21, 100%
- Worried about long-term side effects
- 14 of 21 (67%)
- Medication described as a "mystery"
- 10 of 21 (47%)
- Recalled being asked for their views (shared decision-making)
- 7 of 21 (33%)
- Seven major themes: understanding illness and treatment, health professional interactions, service access, social support, individual factors, routines, and habits
- seven
Original publication
Patient Beliefs and Experiences of Adhering to Medical Therapies for Cardiovascular Comorbidities, Before Noncardiac Elective Surgery in South Africa: A Mixed-Methods Study. Anesth Analg. Published 3 July 2026. doi:10.
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