A Qualitative Study of Barriers to Medication-Taking Among People With Type 2 Diabetes Using the Theoretical Domains Framework.

Objective: We aimed to better understand the challenges related to type 2 diabetes medication-taking through Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF)-guided interviews with people with type 2 diabetes with varying degrees of medication-taking.

Methods: One-on-one qualitative interviews following a semistructured discussion guide informed by the TDF were conducted. Thirty people with type 2 diabetes in Canada were interviewed, with representation from across the country, of both sexes (47% female), of people with various diabetes durations (mean 12.9 ± 7.9 years), with different types of medication plans (n = 15 on polypharmacy), and with various medication-taking levels (n = 10 each for low-, medium-, and high-engagement groups).

Results: Themes related to medication-taking from interviews mapped to 12 of the 14 TDF theme domains, with the exclusion of the knowledge and skills domains. The most prominent domains, as determined by high-frequency themes or themes for which people with low and high medication-taking had contrasting perspectives, were 1) emotion; 2) memory, attention, and decision processes; 3) behavioral regulation; 4) beliefs about consequences; 5) goals; and 6) environmental context and resources.

Conclusion: Through our interviews, several areas of focus emerged that may help efforts to increase medication-taking. To validate these findings, future quantitative research is warranted to help support people with type 2 diabetes in overcoming psychological and behavioral barriers to medication-taking.