“You Can Lead a Horse to Water, but You Can’t Make It Drink”. Gastroenterology Healthcare Professionals’ Perceptions of Reasons for Patient Non-Adherence to Inflammatory Bowel Disease Prescribed Medication: A Qualitative Study

Key Takeaways for GI Nurses

• Healthcare professionals' perceptions of medication non-adherence may differ significantly from patients' actual experiences and barriers, highlighting the need for more patient-centered approaches to understanding compliance challenges
• Effective medication adherence counseling requires nurses to move beyond assumptions and engage in open dialogue with IBD patients to identify their specific barriers to treatment compliance
• Documentation and assessment of medication adherence should incorporate both clinical observations and direct patient feedback to develop more accurate and comprehensive care plans
• Interdisciplinary collaboration becomes essential when addressing complex adherence issues, as multiple factors beyond clinical considerations may influence patient medication-taking behaviors

Clinical Relevance

This qualitative research underscores a critical gap in how gastroenterology healthcare professionals understand patient medication adherence challenges. For GI nurses working in both inpatient and outpatient endoscopy settings, this study highlights the importance of reassessing our approach to medication counseling and patient education. When preparing patients for procedures or managing post-procedure care, nurses often encounter patients whose symptoms suggest poor medication adherence. Rather than making assumptions about patient motivation or understanding, this research suggests that healthcare providers may be missing key factors that influence patient decision-making around IBD medications.

The implications for nursing practice are substantial, particularly in endoscopy units where nurses frequently serve as the primary point of contact for ongoing patient education and follow-up care. Pre-procedure assessments and post-procedure discharge planning present valuable opportunities to explore medication adherence barriers through patient-centered conversations. This research suggests that nurses should incorporate structured, non-judgmental questioning techniques into their medication reconciliation processes and patient education protocols. Additionally, the findings emphasize the need for nursing staff to receive training in motivational interviewing techniques and shared decision-making approaches that can help bridge the perception gap between healthcare providers and patients.

From an operational perspective, this study supports the development of more comprehensive medication adherence assessment tools and documentation practices within GI units. Understanding the disconnect between provider perceptions and patient realities can inform quality improvement initiatives, patient satisfaction measures, and ultimately contribute to better clinical outcomes for IBD patients undergoing endoscopic procedures.

Bottom Line

GI nurses must recognize that their perceptions of why patients don't take prescribed IBD medications may not align with patients' actual experiences and barriers. This research emphasizes the critical importance of engaging patients in open, non-judgmental conversations about medication challenges rather than relying on clinical assumptions, ultimately leading to more effective patient education strategies and improved therapeutic relationships in endoscopy and gastroenterology practice settings.